BSV vs SPDW
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF
Which is better, BSV or SPDW?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPDW 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 | BSV | SPDW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $45.6B | $42.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 2.92% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 2,440 |
| YTD Return | -0.08% | +14.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.05% | +22.40%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.27% | +19.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.47% | +9.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -62.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,757 | $15,974Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Apr 20, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.4 years).
BSV vs SPDW 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
BSV vs SPDW Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year BSV returned +1.05% while SPDW returned +22.40%. Year to date, BSV is down 0.08% versus a gain of 14.53% for SPDW.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.27% per year against +19.50% for SPDW; over five years the annualized figures are +1.47% and +9.82% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SPDW has the edge at +3.05% annualized vs +0.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPDW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 2.4% for BSV. 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 -9.0% for BSV and -62.2% for SPDW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.26. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while SPDW charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BSV currently yields 4.01% against 2.92% for SPDW.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,013 holdings in BSV and 2,129 in SPDW, totalling 63.3% and 86.3% 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, 2 positions appear in both.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,013 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 2,129 in SPDW, against full books of 3,205 and 2,440.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV and SPDW 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, BSV or SPDW?
BSV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SPDW charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BSV or SPDW?
Over the past year BSV returned +1.05% vs +22.40% for SPDW, so SPDW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BSV annualized +0.87% vs +3.05% for SPDW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or SPDW?
SPDW has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 2.4% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs SPDW -62.2%.
Should I hold both BSV and SPDW?
BSV and SPDW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.26, 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, BSV or SPDW?
BSV yields 4.01% while SPDW yields 2.92%, so BSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPDW better than BSV?
SPDW 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.