BIV vs VTI
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BIV or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $28.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 2,336 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -2.85% | +13.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.07% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.39% | +22.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.56% | +12.01%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.3%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,723 | $17,631Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
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 23, 2026 (19.5 years).
BIV vs VTI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BIV vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BIV returned -2.07% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, BIV is down 2.85% versus a gain of 13.14% for VTI.
Over three years, BIV compounded at +4.39% per year against +22.30% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.56% and +12.01% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.32% annualized vs +0.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% 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 -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIV charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BIV currently yields 4.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 798 holdings in BIV and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 60.9% and 98.1% of the two funds. That is not enough of BIV to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 798 positions we hold weights for in BIV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 2,336 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.32% | 0.00% | 0.32% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIV and VTI 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 VTI?
BIV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BIV or VTI?
Over the past year BIV returned -2.07% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), BIV annualized +0.87% vs +9.32% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 5.7% for BIV. Worst drawdown: BIV -20.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both BIV and VTI?
BIV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.22, 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 VTI?
BIV yields 4.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BIV?
VTI 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.