BSV vs VTI
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BSV or VTI?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
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 | BSV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $45.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +0.66% | +13.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.08% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.48% | +21.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.61% | +11.77%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,831 | $17,443Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2007 to Sep 3, 2026 (19.4 years).
BSV 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.
BSV vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +2.08% while VTI returned +21.44%. Year to date, BSV is up 0.66% versus a gain of 13.95% for VTI.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.48% per year against +21.10% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.61% and +11.77% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs +0.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% 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 -56.6% 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 0.14. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BSV currently yields 4.01% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 558 holdings in BSV and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 16.0% and 92.3% 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, 5 positions appear in both.
5 positions in common, counted across the 558 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 3,205 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV 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, BSV or VTI?
BSV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BSV or VTI?
Over the past year BSV returned +2.08% vs +21.44% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BSV annualized +0.92% vs +9.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 2.4% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both BSV and VTI?
BSV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.14, 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 VTI?
BSV yields 4.01% while VTI yields 1.07%, so BSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BSV?
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.