BSV vs VXUS
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BSV or VXUS?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
BSV has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $45.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.07% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.14% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.28% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.51% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.0%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,778 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
BSV 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
BSV vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +1.14% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, BSV is up 0.07% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.28% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.51% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs +0.63%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 2.0% 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 -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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while VXUS 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 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,013 holdings in BSV and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 63.3% 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, 2 positions appear in both.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,013 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 3,205 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV 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, BSV or VXUS?
BSV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. BSV is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BSV or VXUS?
Over the past year BSV returned +1.14% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), BSV annualized +0.63% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 2.0% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BSV and VXUS?
BSV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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 VXUS?
BSV yields 4.01% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BSV?
BSV has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.