BSV vs VT
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total World Stock ETF
Which is better, BSV or VT?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
BSV has a lower expense ratio. VT 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 | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $45.6B | $97.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 10,133 |
| YTD Return | +0.07% | +12.72%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.14% | +18.16%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.28% | +20.32%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.51% | +10.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -50.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,778 | $16,752Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Jun 24, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 17, 2026 (18.2 years).
BSV vs VT 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.
BSV vs VT Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +1.14% while VT returned +18.16%. Year to date, BSV is up 0.07% versus a gain of 12.72% for VT.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.28% per year against +20.32% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +1.51% and +10.87% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VT has the edge at +7.25% annualized vs +0.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% 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 -50.6% for VT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.28. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while VT charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BSV currently yields 4.01% against 1.55% for VT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,013 holdings in BSV and 9,272 in VT, totalling 63.3% and 90.1% 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, 12 positions appear in both.
12 positions in common, counted across the 1,013 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 9,272 in VT, against full books of 3,205 and 10,133.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BSV | Weight in VT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.01% | 3.84% | 3.83% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander, S.A Sponsored Adr - Sponsored (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.01% | 0.18% | 0.17% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.01% | 0.16% | 0.15% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 0.01% | 0.13% | 0.12% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 0.02% | 0.10% | 0.08% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa, Inc. 3.875% 15-Apr-2030 | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.02% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 0.01% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| AFLAflac Inc. | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| KVUEKenvue Inc | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV and VT 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 VT?
BSV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VT charges 0.06%. BSV is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BSV or VT?
Over the past year BSV returned +1.14% vs +18.16% for VT, so VT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), BSV annualized +0.79% vs +7.25% for VT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or VT?
VT has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 2.4% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs VT -50.6%.
Should I hold both BSV and VT?
BSV and VT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.28, 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 VT?
BSV yields 4.01% while VT yields 1.55%, so BSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VT better than BSV?
BSV has a lower expense ratio. VT 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.