BNDS vs VXUS
Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BNDS or VXUS?
Long Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | BNDS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $98M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.76% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 83 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.70% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.57% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 11.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.0%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $11,405 | $15,533Best |
| Fund Family | InfraCap | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 15, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 15, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.7 years).
BNDS 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
BNDS vs VXUS Performance
Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF (BNDS) is an ETF from InfraCap and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BNDS returned +6.57% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, BNDS is up 4.70% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.5% compared with 5.2% for BNDS. 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 -7.0% for BNDS and -13.6% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BNDS charges 0.88% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $5 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BNDS currently yields 8.76% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 72 holdings in BNDS and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 77.3% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 57 days apart, BNDS as of Aug 26, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 72 positions we hold weights for in BNDS and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 83 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BNDS 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, BNDS or VXUS?
BNDS has an expense ratio of 0.88% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BNDS or VXUS?
Over the past year BNDS returned +6.57% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BNDS annualized +8.04% vs +29.57% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BNDS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 5.2% for BNDS. Worst drawdown: BNDS -7.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both BNDS and VXUS?
BNDS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, BNDS or VXUS?
BNDS yields 8.76% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BNDS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BNDS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.