BGH vs VXUS
Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BGH or VXUS?
High Yield Bond 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 | BGH | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.88% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $300M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.82% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 248 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.03% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -9.25% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.59% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.19% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,503 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Barings | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 26, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 26, 2012 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.9 years).
BGH 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 13.9 years both funds cover.
BGH vs VXUS Performance
Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (BGH) is an ETF from Barings and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BGH returned -9.25% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, BGH is down 2.03% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, BGH compounded at +12.59% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.19% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.10% annualized vs -0.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BGH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 14.3% 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 -63.8% for BGH 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BGH charges 3.88% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $388 vs $5 annually, a gap of $383 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BGH currently yields 9.82% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 107 holdings in BGH and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 59.3% 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 304 days apart, BGH as of Sep 30, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in BGH and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 248 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BGH 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, BGH or VXUS?
BGH has an expense ratio of 3.88% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $383 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BGH or VXUS?
Over the past year BGH returned -9.25% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), BGH annualized -0.33% vs +6.10% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BGH or VXUS?
BGH has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BGH -63.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BGH and VXUS?
BGH and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, BGH or VXUS?
BGH yields 9.82% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BGH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BGH?
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.