BKSE vs VXUS
BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BKSE or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
BKSE has a lower expense ratio. BKSE led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | BKSE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $88M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 598 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.84% | +12.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.43% | +19.73%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.57% | +20.91%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.28% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.1%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,210 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | BNY Mellon Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 9, 2020 to Sep 29, 2026 (6.5 years).
BKSE 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 6.5 years both funds cover.
BKSE vs VXUS Performance
BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF (BKSE) is an ETF from BNY Mellon Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BKSE returned +15.43% while VXUS returned +19.73%. Year to date, BKSE is up 10.84% versus a gain of 12.34% for VXUS.
Over three years, BKSE compounded at +17.57% per year against +20.91% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.28% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, BKSE has the edge at +15.05% annualized vs +13.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BKSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 14.8% for VXUS. 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 -29.1% for BKSE and -29.4% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BKSE charges 0.04% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BKSE currently yields 1.85% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of BKSE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.
5 positions in common, counted across the 584 positions we hold weights for in BKSE and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 598 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BKSE 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, BKSE or VXUS?
BKSE has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VXUS charges 0.05%. BKSE is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BKSE or VXUS?
Over the past year BKSE returned +15.43% vs +19.73% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), BKSE annualized +15.05% vs +13.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BKSE or VXUS?
BKSE has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BKSE -29.1% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both BKSE and VXUS?
BKSE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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, BKSE or VXUS?
BKSE yields 1.85% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BKSE?
BKSE has a lower expense ratio. BKSE led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.