BHK vs VXUS
BlackRock Core Bond Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BHK or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | BHK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.68% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $671M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 1,627 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.24% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.49% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.47% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.45% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,390 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 30, 2001 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
BHK 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.
BHK vs VXUS Performance
BlackRock Core Bond Trust (BHK) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BHK returned +1.49% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, BHK is down 0.24% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, BHK compounded at +4.47% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.45% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +0.88%.
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 12.3% for BHK. 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 -39.6% for BHK 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BHK charges 3.68% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $368 vs $5 annually, a gap of $363 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BHK currently yields 9.61% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of BHK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, BHK as of Dec 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,063 positions we hold weights for in BHK and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 1,627 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BHK | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.15% | 0.72% | 0.57% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BHK 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, BHK or VXUS?
BHK has an expense ratio of 3.68% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $363 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BHK or VXUS?
Over the past year BHK returned +1.49% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), BHK annualized +0.88% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BHK or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 12.3% for BHK. Worst drawdown: BHK -39.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BHK and VXUS?
BHK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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, BHK or VXUS?
BHK yields 9.61% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so BHK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BHK?
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.