BIV vs VUG
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, BIV or VUG?
VUG has been ahead.
VUG 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 | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $28.8B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.32% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 2,336 | 146 |
| YTD Return | -2.22% | +9.77%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.41% | +12.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.30% | +24.08%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.54% | +13.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 17.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.3%Best | -51.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,733 | $18,424Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Jan 26, 2004 |
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 18, 2026 (19.4 years).
BIV vs VUG 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 VUG Performance
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BIV returned -1.41% while VUG returned +12.34%. Year to date, BIV is down 2.22% versus a gain of 9.77% for VUG.
Over three years, BIV compounded at +4.30% per year against +24.08% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are -0.54% and +13.00% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +12.08% annualized vs +0.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% 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 -51.4% for VUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.25. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIV charges 0.03% per year while VUG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BIV currently yields 4.32% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VUG'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 147 in VUG, against full books of 2,336 and 146.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIV | Weight in VUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.32% | 0.15% | 0.17% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIV and VUG 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 VUG?
BIV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VUG charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BIV or VUG?
Over the past year BIV returned -1.41% vs +12.34% for VUG, so VUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BIV annualized +0.90% vs +12.08% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIV or VUG?
VUG has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 5.7% for BIV. Worst drawdown: BIV -20.3% vs VUG -51.4%.
Should I hold both BIV and VUG?
BIV and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.25, 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 VUG?
BIV yields 4.32% while VUG yields 0.38%, so BIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than BIV?
VUG 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.