BGRN vs VXUS
iShares USD Green Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BGRN or VXUS?
Long Term Mid Quality 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 | BGRN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $505M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.33% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 321 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.39% | +14.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.50% | +21.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.42% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.20% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.5%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.2%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,100 | $15,728Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 27, 2018 to Sep 22, 2026 (7.8 years).
BGRN 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 7.8 years both funds cover.
BGRN vs VXUS Performance
iShares USD Green Bond ETF (BGRN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BGRN returned +0.50% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, BGRN is down 0.39% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, BGRN compounded at +5.42% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.20% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.81% annualized vs +1.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 5.5% for BGRN. 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 -19.2% for BGRN and -35.1% 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BGRN charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BGRN currently yields 4.33% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 201 holdings in BGRN and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 66.2% 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 201 positions we hold weights for in BGRN and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 321 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BGRN 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, BGRN or VXUS?
BGRN has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BGRN or VXUS?
Over the past year BGRN returned +0.50% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), BGRN annualized +1.39% vs +9.81% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BGRN or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 5.5% for BGRN. Worst drawdown: BGRN -19.2% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both BGRN and VXUS?
BGRN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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, BGRN or VXUS?
BGRN yields 4.33% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BGRN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BGRN?
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.