BNDX vs XLV
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, BNDX or XLV?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Blend.
BNDX has a lower expense ratio. XLV 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 | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $82.7B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.58% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 6,859 | 63 |
| YTD Return | -0.95% | +7.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.72% | +22.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.67% | +9.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.20% | +6.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.2%Best | -28.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,900 | $13,490Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 31, 2013 | Dec 16, 1998 |
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 10, 2026 (13.3 years).
BNDX vs XLV 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 XLV Performance
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year BNDX returned -0.72% while XLV returned +22.74%. Year to date, BNDX is down 0.95% versus a gain of 7.44% for XLV.
Over three years, BNDX compounded at +3.67% per year against +9.43% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are -0.20% and +6.17% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, XLV has the edge at +10.51% annualized vs +0.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% 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 -28.8% for XLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.30. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BNDX charges 0.07% per year while XLV charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $8 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BNDX currently yields 4.58% against 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 943 holdings in BNDX and 61 in XLV, totalling 11.3% and 99.9% 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 61 in XLV, against full books of 6,859 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 943 and 61 positions we hold weights for.
BNDX holds 939 positions XLV does not, 11.3% of the fund.
Largest: FRTR 2.75 10/25/27 O 0.17%, CAN 2.75 09/01/30 0.09%, CAN 3.25 12/01/34 0.08%, CAN 3.25 06/01/35 0.08%, CAN 3.5 09/01/29 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BNDX and XLV 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 XLV?
BNDX has an expense ratio of 0.07% while XLV charges 0.08%. BNDX is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BNDX or XLV?
Over the past year BNDX returned -0.72% vs +22.74% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), BNDX annualized +0.97% vs +10.51% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BNDX or XLV?
XLV has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 4.1% for BNDX. Worst drawdown: BNDX -17.2% vs XLV -28.8%.
Should I hold both BNDX and XLV?
BNDX and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.30, 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 XLV?
BNDX yields 4.58% while XLV yields 1.49%, so BNDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than BNDX?
BNDX has a lower expense ratio. XLV 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.