BIT vs VXUS
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BIT or VXUS?
Diversified Sectoral Bond 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 | BIT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 4.26% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $748M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.31% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 1,589 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.03% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.62% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.05% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.92% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,469 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (13.5 years).
BIT 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 13.5 years both funds cover.
BIT vs VXUS Performance
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (BIT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BIT returned -1.62% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, BIT is down 2.03% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, BIT compounded at +3.05% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.92% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.05% annualized vs +0.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 13.1% for BIT. 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 -53.3% for BIT 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIT charges 4.26% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $426 vs $5 annually, a gap of $421 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BIT currently yields 11.31% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 955 holdings in BIT and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 81.9% 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 181 days apart, BIT 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 955 positions we hold weights for in BIT and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 1,589 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIT 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, BIT or VXUS?
BIT has an expense ratio of 4.26% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $421 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIT or VXUS?
Over the past year BIT returned -1.62% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), BIT annualized +0.23% vs +6.05% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIT or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 13.1% for BIT. Worst drawdown: BIT -53.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BIT and VXUS?
BIT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, BIT or VXUS?
BIT yields 11.31% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so BIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BIT?
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.