BNDX vs VEU
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF vs Vanguard FTSE All World Ex US ETF
Which is better, BNDX or VEU?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VEU has a lower expense ratio. VEU 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 | BNDX | VEU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $83.4B | $70.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.58% | 2.48% |
| Holdings | 6,827 | 3,895 |
| YTD Return | -1.08% | +11.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.86% | +17.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.08% | +20.69%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.07% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.2%Best | -39.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,965 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 31, 2013 | Mar 2, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2013 to Oct 1, 2026 (13.3 years).
BNDX vs VEU 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 13.3 years both funds cover.
BNDX vs VEU Performance
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE All World Ex US ETF (VEU) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BNDX returned -0.86% while VEU returned +17.63%. Year to date, BNDX is down 1.08% versus a gain of 11.37% for VEU.
Over three years, BNDX compounded at +4.08% per year against +20.69% for VEU; over five years the annualized figures are -0.07% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VEU has the edge at +5.67% annualized vs +0.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 4.1% for BNDX. 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 -17.2% for BNDX and -39.1% for VEU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BNDX charges 0.07% per year while VEU charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $4 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BNDX currently yields 4.58% against 2.48% for VEU.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 556 holdings in BNDX and 3,645 in VEU, totalling 4.3% and 94.2% 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 556 positions we hold weights for in BNDX and 3,645 in VEU, against full books of 6,827 and 3,895.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BNDX and VEU 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, BNDX or VEU?
BNDX has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VEU charges 0.04%. VEU is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BNDX or VEU?
Over the past year BNDX returned -0.86% vs +17.63% for VEU, so VEU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), BNDX annualized +0.96% vs +5.67% for VEU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BNDX or VEU?
VEU has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 4.1% for BNDX. Worst drawdown: BNDX -17.2% vs VEU -39.1%.
Should I hold both BNDX and VEU?
BNDX and VEU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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, BNDX or VEU?
BNDX yields 4.58% while VEU yields 2.48%, so BNDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VEU better than BNDX?
VEU has a lower expense ratio. VEU 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.