BSV vs VXF
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, BSV or VXF?
Short Term Bond against Mid Cap Blend.
BSV has a lower expense ratio. VXF 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 | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $45.6B | $30.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +0.02% | +13.42%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.19% | +13.53%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.34% | +20.07%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.51% | +6.32%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4%Best | 19.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -59.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,778 | $13,585Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Dec 27, 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 22, 2026 (19.5 years).
BSV vs VXF 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 VXF Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +1.19% while VXF returned +13.53%. Year to date, BSV is up 0.02% versus a gain of 13.42% for VXF.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.34% per year against +20.07% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +1.51% and +6.32% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VXF has the edge at +8.28% annualized vs +0.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% 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 -59.4% for VXF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while VXF charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BSV currently yields 4.01% against 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,013 holdings in BSV and 3,296 in VXF, totalling 63.3% and 94.3% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,013 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 3,296 in VXF, against full books of 3,205 and 3,385.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BSV | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.70% | 0.00% | 0.70% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV and VXF 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 VXF?
BSV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXF charges 0.05%. BSV is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BSV or VXF?
Over the past year BSV returned +1.19% vs +13.53% for VXF, so VXF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), BSV annualized +0.89% vs +8.28% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or VXF?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 2.4% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both BSV and VXF?
BSV and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.11, 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 VXF?
BSV yields 4.01% while VXF yields 1.01%, so BSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than BSV?
BSV has a lower expense ratio. VXF 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.