BIV vs VGK
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF
Which is better, BIV or VGK?
VGK has been ahead.
BIV has a lower expense ratio. VGK 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 | BIV | VGK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $28.8B | $38.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.32% | 2.81% |
| Holdings | 2,336 | 1,240 |
| YTD Return | -1.92% | +7.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.95% | +15.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.53% | +18.54%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.47% | +9.34%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 19.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.3%Best | -67.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,767 | $15,628Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Mar 4, 2005 |
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 VGK 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 VGK Performance
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BIV returned -0.95% while VGK returned +15.45%. Year to date, BIV is down 1.92% versus a gain of 7.47% for VGK.
Over three years, BIV compounded at +4.53% per year against +18.54% for VGK; over five years the annualized figures are -0.47% and +9.34% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VGK has the edge at +1.98% annualized vs +0.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.2% compared with 5.7% for BIV. 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 -67.3% for VGK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.28. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIV charges 0.03% per year while VGK charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BIV currently yields 4.32% against 2.81% for VGK.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of VGK's money is in holdings BIV also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BIV, our book for it covers 60.9% 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 798 positions we hold weights for in BIV and 1,101 in VGK, against full books of 2,336 and 1,240.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIV | Weight in VGK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.32% | 0.71% | 0.39% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIV and VGK 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 VGK?
BIV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGK charges 0.06%. BIV is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIV or VGK?
Over the past year BIV returned -0.95% vs +15.45% for VGK, so VGK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BIV annualized +0.92% vs +1.98% for VGK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIV or VGK?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 19.2% annualized versus 5.7% for BIV. Worst drawdown: BIV -20.3% vs VGK -67.3%.
Should I hold both BIV and VGK?
BIV and VGK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.28, 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, BIV or VGK?
BIV yields 4.32% while VGK yields 2.81%, so BIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGK better than BIV?
BIV has a lower expense ratio. VGK 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.