BCV vs VXUS
Bancroft Fund Ltd vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BCV or VXUS?
Convertibles against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BCV led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | BCV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.11% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $178M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.69% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 86 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.08% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.17% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.67%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.05% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,621 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 4, 1971 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
BCV 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
BCV vs VXUS Performance
Bancroft Fund Ltd (BCV) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BCV returned +12.17% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, BCV is up 10.08% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, BCV compounded at +20.67% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.05% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, BCV has the edge at +4.83% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BCV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% 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 -48.7% for BCV and -39.9% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BCV charges 1.11% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $111 vs $5 annually, a gap of $106 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BCV currently yields 3.69% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 31 holdings in BCV and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 55.5% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, BCV as of Mar 31, 2026 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in BCV and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 86 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BCV 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, BCV or VXUS?
BCV has an expense ratio of 1.11% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $106 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BCV or VXUS?
Over the past year BCV returned +12.17% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), BCV annualized +4.83% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BCV or VXUS?
BCV has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BCV -48.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BCV and VXUS?
BCV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, BCV or VXUS?
BCV yields 3.69% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BCV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BCV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BCV led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.