BOND vs VTI
PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BOND or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | BOND | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.5B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.25% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,761 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.20% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.12% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.89% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.22% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.0%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,890 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 29, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 1, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.5 years).
BOND vs VTI 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.
BOND vs VTI Performance
PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund (BOND) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BOND returned -0.12% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, BOND is down 1.20% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, BOND compounded at +4.89% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.22% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.76% annualized vs +0.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 5.0% for BOND. 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 -19.7% for BOND and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BOND charges 0.54% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $3 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BOND currently yields 5.25% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 690 holdings in BOND and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 66.1% and 90.6% 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 48 days apart, BOND as of Aug 17, 2026 and VTI 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 690 positions we hold weights for in BOND and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,761 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BOND and VTI 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, BOND or VTI?
BOND has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BOND or VTI?
Over the past year BOND returned -0.12% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), BOND annualized +0.79% vs +12.76% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BOND or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 5.0% for BOND. Worst drawdown: BOND -19.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BOND and VTI?
BOND and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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, BOND or VTI?
BOND yields 5.25% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BOND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BOND?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.