BREM vs VXUS
iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BREM or VXUS?
Emerging Markets 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 | BREM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.07% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 330 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +0.59% | +9.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.13% | +13.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.2%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,343 | $11,574Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 15, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 16, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026 (1.1 years).
BREM 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
BREM vs VXUS Performance
iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF (BREM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BREM returned +2.13% while VXUS returned +13.33%. Year to date, BREM is up 0.59% versus a gain of 9.82% 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 14.6% compared with 6.7% for BREM. 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 -5.2% for BREM and -11.3% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BREM charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BREM currently yields 6.07% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 53 holdings in BREM and 8,463 in VXUS, totalling 34.8% and 89.2% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 3 positions appear in both.
3 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in BREM and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 330 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BREM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARGENT 4.125 07/09/3Republic Of Argentina Sr Unsecured 07/35 1.5 Var | 1.45% | 0.00% | 1.45% |
| ARGENT 5 01/09/38Argentina Republic Of Government 0.13% Jan 09, 2038 | 1.19% | 0.00% | 1.19% |
| ARGENT 3.5 07/09/41Argentine Republic Government International Bond | 0.20% | 0.00% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BREM 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, BREM or VXUS?
BREM has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BREM or VXUS?
Over the past year BREM returned +2.13% vs +13.33% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BREM annualized +3.11% vs +14.21% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BREM or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 6.7% for BREM. Worst drawdown: BREM -5.2% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both BREM and VXUS?
BREM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, BREM or VXUS?
BREM yields 6.07% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so BREM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BREM?
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.