BST vs VXUS
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BST or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BST led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y.
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 | BST | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.06% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 88 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +30.20%Best | +13.64% |
| 1Y Return | +37.32%Best | +20.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.21%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.22% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,844 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 29, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2014 to Sep 17, 2026 (11.9 years).
BST 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
BST vs VXUS Performance
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BST returned +37.32% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, BST is up 30.20% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, BST compounded at +27.21% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.22% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, BST has the edge at +12.66% annualized vs +6.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% compared with 14.8% for VXUS. 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 -46.6% for BST and -39.9% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BST charges 1.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $110 vs $5 annually, a gap of $105 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BST currently yields 8.06% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 47 holdings in BST and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 73.9% and 88.8% 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, 5 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, BST as of Dec 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in BST and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 88 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BST 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, BST or VXUS?
BST has an expense ratio of 1.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $105 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BST or VXUS?
Over the past year BST returned +37.32% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so BST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), BST annualized +12.66% vs +6.23% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BST or VXUS?
BST has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BST -46.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BST and VXUS?
BST and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, BST or VXUS?
BST yields 8.06% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BST?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BST led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.