BWZ vs VXUS
State Street SPDR Bloomberg Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BWZ or VXUS?
Short Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS 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 | BWZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $290M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.08% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 291 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.67% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.55% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.51% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.16% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.0%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,433 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 15, 2009 | 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 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
BWZ 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.
BWZ vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF (BWZ) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BWZ returned +0.55% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, BWZ is up 1.67% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, BWZ compounded at +3.51% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.16% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.76% annualized vs -1.49%.
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 7.0% for BWZ. 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 -37.9% for BWZ 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BWZ charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BWZ currently yields 2.08% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in BWZ and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 2.4% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 7 positions we hold weights for in BWZ and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 291 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BWZ 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, BWZ or VXUS?
BWZ has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BWZ or VXUS?
Over the past year BWZ returned +0.55% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), BWZ annualized -1.49% vs +4.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BWZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 7.0% for BWZ. Worst drawdown: BWZ -37.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BWZ and VXUS?
BWZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, BWZ or VXUS?
BWZ yields 2.08% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BWZ?
VXUS 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.