BIV vs BSV
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF
Which is better, BIV or BSV?
Each has led over a different period.
BIV led over 3Y and the full window, BSV over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | BIV | BSV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $28.8B | $45.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.32% | 4.01% |
| Holdings | 2,336 | 3,205 |
| YTD Return | -1.92% | -0.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.95% | +1.15%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.53%Best | +4.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.47% | +1.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7% | 2.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.3% | -9.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,767 | $10,762Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | - | Short Term Bond |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Apr 3, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2007 to Sep 21, 2026 (19.4 years).
BIV vs BSV 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
BIV vs BSV Performance
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BIV returned -0.95% while BSV returned +1.15%. Year to date, BIV is down 1.92% versus a loss of 0.02% for BSV.
Over three years, BIV compounded at +4.53% per year against +4.29% for BSV; over five years the annualized figures are -0.47% and +1.48% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, BIV has the edge at +0.92% annualized vs +0.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.7% compared with 2.4% for BSV. 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 -20.3% for BIV and -9.0% for BSV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIV charges 0.03% per year while BSV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BIV currently yields 4.32% against 4.01% for BSV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 798 holdings in BIV and 1,013 in BSV, totalling 60.9% and 63.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 6 positions appear in both.
6 positions in common, counted across the 798 positions we hold weights for in BIV and 1,013 in BSV, against full books of 2,336 and 3,205.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIV | Weight in BSV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.32% | 0.70% | 0.38% |
| JPM V2.545 11/08/32Jpmorgan Chase & Co 2.545 11/08/2032 | 0.06% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| GS V2.383 07/21/32Goldman Sachs Group Inc/The 2.38% 21Jul2032 | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| FL FLSGEN 2.15 07/01Florida St Brd Of Admin Fin Co 2.154 07/01/2030 | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| TOYOTA 1.9 09/12/31Toyota Motor Credit Corp 1.9 09/12/2031 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| ESGR 4.95 06/01/29Enstar Group Ltd 4.950000 06/01/2029 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIV and BSV 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, BIV or BSV?
BIV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while BSV charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BIV or BSV?
Over the past year BIV returned -0.95% vs +1.15% for BSV, so BSV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BIV annualized +0.92% vs +0.89% for BSV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIV or BSV?
BIV has been the more volatile fund at 5.7% annualized versus 2.4% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BIV -20.3% vs BSV -9.0%.
Should I hold both BIV and BSV?
BIV and BSV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BIV or BSV?
BIV yields 4.32% while BSV yields 4.01%, so BIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BSV better than BIV?
BIV led over 3Y and the full window, BSV over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.