BGT vs VXUS
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BGT or VXUS?
Bank Loan 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 | BGT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $332M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.99% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 485 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +5.68% | +13.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.83% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.89% | +19.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.58% | +8.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.2%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,752 | $15,197Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 30, 2004 | 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 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
BGT 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.
BGT vs VXUS Performance
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust (BGT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BGT returned -0.83% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, BGT is up 5.68% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, BGT compounded at +8.89% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.58% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.74% annualized vs +1.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 11.2% for BGT. 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 -53.7% for BGT 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BGT charges 2.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $210 vs $5 annually, a gap of $205 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BGT currently yields 12.99% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 233 holdings in BGT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 74.9% 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 212 days apart, BGT 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 233 positions we hold weights for in BGT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 485 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BGT 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, BGT or VXUS?
BGT has an expense ratio of 2.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $205 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BGT or VXUS?
Over the past year BGT returned -0.83% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), BGT annualized +1.15% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BGT or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 11.2% for BGT. Worst drawdown: BGT -53.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BGT and VXUS?
BGT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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, BGT or VXUS?
BGT yields 12.99% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BGT?
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.