BCAT vs VXUS
BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BCAT or VXUS?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BCAT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.41% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 21.97% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 917 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.47% | +11.62%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.93% | +18.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.81% | +20.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.24% | +9.33%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.1% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,184 | $15,621Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 25, 2020 to Sep 30, 2026 (6 years).
BCAT vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 6 years both funds cover.
BCAT vs VXUS Performance
BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (BCAT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BCAT returned +13.93% while VXUS returned +18.43%. Year to date, BCAT is up 11.47% versus a gain of 11.62% for VXUS.
Over three years, BCAT compounded at +18.81% per year against +20.63% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.24% and +9.33% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +11.75% annualized vs +6.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BCAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -36.1% for BCAT and -29.4% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BCAT charges 1.41% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $141 vs $5 annually, a gap of $136 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BCAT currently yields 21.97% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 315 holdings in BCAT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 64.8% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 24 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, BCAT as of Dec 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
24 positions in common, counted across the 315 positions we hold weights for in BCAT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 917 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BCAT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELShell Plc | 0.76% | 0.57% | 0.19% |
| ISP:MIIntesa Sanpaolo SpA Shs | 0.82% | 0.26% | 0.56% |
| CCO:CACameco Corporation Com Npv | 0.82% | 0.08% | 0.74% |
| BAES:LNBae Systems Plc | 0.60% | 0.19% | 0.41% |
| INGA:ASIng Groep Nv | 0.49% | 0.23% | 0.26% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.03% | 0.62% | 0.59% |
| NG:LNNational Grid Plc | 0.44% | 0.18% | 0.26% |
| EL:PAEssilorluxottica Sa | 0.47% | 0.12% | 0.35% |
| SOGN:PASociete Generale Sa | 0.35% | 0.14% | 0.21% |
| DSV:CODsv A/s | 0.38% | 0.09% | 0.29% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BCAT and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BCAT or VXUS?
BCAT has an expense ratio of 1.41% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $136 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BCAT or VXUS?
Over the past year BCAT returned +13.93% vs +18.43% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BCAT annualized +6.84% vs +11.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BCAT or VXUS?
BCAT has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BCAT -36.1% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both BCAT and VXUS?
BCAT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BCAT or VXUS?
BCAT yields 21.97% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BCAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BCAT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.