BILZ vs VXUS
PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BILZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | BILZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $947M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 7 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.38% | +15.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.74% | +27.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.57% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.96% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.4%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.5%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $11,491 | $17,247Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 21, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2023 to Sep 3, 2026 (3.2 years).
BILZ 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 3.2 years both funds cover.
BILZ vs VXUS Performance
PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund (BILZ) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BILZ returned +3.74% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, BILZ is up 2.38% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, BILZ compounded at +4.57% per year against +20.30% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 0.4% for BILZ. 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 -0.5% for BILZ and -13.6% 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 0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BILZ charges 0.14% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $5 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BILZ currently yields 4.01% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in BILZ and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 0.0% 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 48 days apart, BILZ as of Aug 17, 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 1 positions we hold weights for in BILZ and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 7 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BILZ 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, BILZ or VXUS?
BILZ has an expense ratio of 0.14% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BILZ or VXUS?
Over the past year BILZ returned +3.74% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BILZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 0.4% for BILZ. Worst drawdown: BILZ -0.5% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both BILZ and VXUS?
BILZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, 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, BILZ or VXUS?
BILZ yields 4.01% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so BILZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BILZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.