BND vs VGK
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF
Which is better, BND or VGK?
Intermediate Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
BND 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 | BND | VGK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $160.9B | $38.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.04% | 2.81% |
| Holdings | 17,437 | 1,240 |
| YTD Return | -1.23% | +6.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.42% | +14.06%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.09% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.57% | +9.32%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.6%Best | 19.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6%Best | -67.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,718 | $15,613Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Intermediate Term Bond | 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 18, 2026 (19.4 years).
BND 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.
BND vs VGK Performance
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BND returned -0.42% while VGK returned +14.06%. Year to date, BND is down 1.23% versus a gain of 6.23% for VGK.
Over three years, BND compounded at +4.09% per year against +17.50% for VGK; over five years the annualized figures are -0.57% and +9.32% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VGK has the edge at +1.92% annualized vs +0.63%.
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 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 -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 0.29. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BND 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, BND currently yields 4.04% against 2.81% for VGK.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 16 holdings in BND and 1,101 in VGK, totalling 1.5% and 95.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 16 positions we hold weights for in BND and 1,101 in VGK, against full books of 17,437 and 1,240.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BND 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, BND or VGK?
BND has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGK charges 0.06%. BND is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BND or VGK?
Over the past year BND returned -0.42% vs +14.06% for VGK, so VGK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BND annualized +0.63% vs +1.92% for VGK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BND or VGK?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 19.2% annualized versus 4.6% for BND. Worst drawdown: BND -19.6% vs VGK -67.3%.
Should I hold both BND and VGK?
BND and VGK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.29, 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 VGK?
BND yields 4.04% while VGK yields 2.81%, so BND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGK better than BND?
BND 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.