BHV vs VXUS
BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BHV or VXUS?
Municipal Virginia against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BHV led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | BHV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $18M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.11% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 43 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +22.58%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +30.47%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.25% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.78% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,248 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Virginia | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2002 | 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).
BHV 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.
BHV vs VXUS Performance
BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust (BHV) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BHV returned +30.47% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, BHV is up 22.58% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, BHV compounded at +13.25% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.78% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs -0.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BHV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 15.0% 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 -57.4% for BHV 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 0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BHV charges 2.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $260 vs $5 annually, a gap of $255 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BHV currently yields 5.11% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 18 holdings in BHV and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 63.7% and 87.7% 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 150 days apart, BHV as of Jan 31, 2026 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in BHV and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 43 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BHV 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, BHV or VXUS?
BHV has an expense ratio of 2.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $255 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BHV or VXUS?
Over the past year BHV returned +30.47% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so BHV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), BHV annualized -0.35% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BHV or VXUS?
BHV has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BHV -57.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BHV and VXUS?
BHV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.24, 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, BHV or VXUS?
BHV yields 5.11% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so BHV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BHV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BHV led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.