BELT vs VXUS
iShares US Select Equity Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BELT or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | BELT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 20 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 11.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,054 | $15,225Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 17, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 33 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BELT has data through Aug 12, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 18, 2024 to Aug 12, 2026 (2.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BELT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 11.6% 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 -23.1% for BELT and -13.6% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BELT charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BELT currently yields 0.02% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 19 holdings in BELT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.1% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in BELT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 20 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BELT 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, BELT or VXUS?
BELT has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, BELT or VXUS?
BELT has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 11.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BELT -23.1% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both BELT and VXUS?
BELT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, BELT or VXUS?
BELT yields 0.02% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BELT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.