BYLD vs VXUS
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BYLD or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | BYLD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.13% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $447M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.41% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 13 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.37% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.87% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.83% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.59% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.6%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,821 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 22, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 24, 2014 to Sep 10, 2026 (12.4 years).
BYLD 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 12.4 years both funds cover.
BYLD vs VXUS Performance
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BYLD returned +0.87% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, BYLD is down 0.37% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, BYLD compounded at +5.83% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.59% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.49% annualized vs +0.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 4.6% for BYLD. 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 -15.9% for BYLD 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BYLD charges 0.13% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $13 vs $5 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BYLD currently yields 5.41% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 13 holdings in BYLD and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% 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 13 positions we hold weights for in BYLD and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 13 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 13 and 8,091 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 44 positions BYLD does not, 2.4% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.48%, IBDRY 0.37%, ASX 0.16%, BALN 3.4 04/15/30 14 0.16%, PRYMY 0.11%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BYLD 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, BYLD or VXUS?
BYLD has an expense ratio of 0.13% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BYLD or VXUS?
Over the past year BYLD returned +0.87% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), BYLD annualized +0.87% vs +5.49% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BYLD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 4.6% for BYLD. Worst drawdown: BYLD -15.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both BYLD and VXUS?
BYLD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, BYLD or VXUS?
BYLD yields 5.41% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BYLD?
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.