BND vs VEA
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
Which is better, BND or VEA?
Intermediate Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VEA 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 | BND | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $160.9B | $230.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.04% | 2.49% |
| Holdings | 17,437 | 3,886 |
| YTD Return | -1.23% | +13.73%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.42% | +21.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.09% | +19.84%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.57% | +10.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.6%Best | 17.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6%Best | -62.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,718 | $16,267Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Intermediate Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Jul 20, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.1 years).
BND vs VEA 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 19.1 years both funds cover.
BND vs VEA Performance
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BND returned -0.42% while VEA returned +21.98%. Year to date, BND is down 1.23% versus a gain of 13.73% for VEA.
Over three years, BND compounded at +4.09% per year against +19.84% for VEA; over five years the annualized figures are -0.57% and +10.22% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VEA has the edge at +3.00% annualized vs +0.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 4.6% for BND. 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 -19.6% for BND and -62.9% for VEA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BND charges 0.03% per year while VEA charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BND currently yields 4.04% against 2.49% for VEA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 16 holdings in BND and 3,754 in VEA, totalling 1.5% and 94.2% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 16 positions we hold weights for in BND and 3,754 in VEA, against full books of 17,437 and 3,886.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BND | Weight in VEA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 1.36% | 0.13% | 1.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BND and VEA 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, BND or VEA?
BND has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VEA charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BND or VEA?
Over the past year BND returned -0.42% vs +21.98% for VEA, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BND annualized +0.68% vs +3.00% for VEA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BND or VEA?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 4.6% for BND. Worst drawdown: BND -19.6% vs VEA -62.9%.
Should I hold both BND and VEA?
BND and VEA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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, BND or VEA?
BND yields 4.04% while VEA yields 2.49%, so BND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VEA better than BND?
VEA 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.