BNDX vs VO
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF
Which is better, BNDX or VO?
Long Term Mid Quality against Mid Cap Blend.
VO has a lower expense ratio. VO 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 | VO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $82.7B | $106.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.58% | 1.30% |
| Holdings | 6,859 | 289 |
| YTD Return | -0.43% | +10.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.02% | +11.90%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.94% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.08% | +7.74%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.2%Best | -39.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,960 | $14,517Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 31, 2013 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2013 to Sep 21, 2026 (13.3 years).
BNDX vs VO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BNDX vs VO Performance
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BNDX returned -0.02% while VO returned +11.90%. Year to date, BNDX is down 0.43% versus a gain of 10.88% for VO.
Over three years, BNDX compounded at +3.94% per year against +17.22% for VO; over five years the annualized figures are -0.08% and +7.74% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VO has the edge at +10.25% annualized vs +1.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% 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 -39.7% for VO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BNDX charges 0.07% per year while VO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $3 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BNDX currently yields 4.58% against 1.30% for VO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 943 holdings in BNDX and 283 in VO, totalling 11.3% and 99.8% 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 943 positions we hold weights for in BNDX and 283 in VO, against full books of 6,859 and 289.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BNDX and VO 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 VO?
BNDX has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VO charges 0.03%. VO is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BNDX or VO?
Over the past year BNDX returned -0.02% vs +11.90% for VO, so VO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), BNDX annualized +1.01% vs +10.25% for VO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BNDX or VO?
VO has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 4.1% for BNDX. Worst drawdown: BNDX -17.2% vs VO -39.7%.
Should I hold both BNDX and VO?
BNDX and VO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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 VO?
BNDX yields 4.58% while VO yields 1.30%, so BNDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VO better than BNDX?
VO has a lower expense ratio. VO 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.