CMBS vs VXUS
iShares CMBS ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CMBS 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 | CMBS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $468M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.62% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 466 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.53% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.52% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.34% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.52% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.9%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,263 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 16, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.6 years).
CMBS 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
CMBS vs VXUS Performance
iShares CMBS ETF (CMBS) 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 CMBS returned +0.52% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, CMBS is down 0.53% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, CMBS compounded at +5.34% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.52% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.77% annualized vs +0.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 3.9% for CMBS. 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 -16.4% for CMBS 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 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CMBS charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CMBS currently yields 3.62% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 424 holdings in CMBS and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 88.9% 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 424 positions we hold weights for in CMBS and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 466 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CMBS 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, CMBS or VXUS?
CMBS has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CMBS or VXUS?
Over the past year CMBS returned +0.52% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), CMBS annualized +0.78% vs +5.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CMBS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 3.9% for CMBS. Worst drawdown: CMBS -16.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both CMBS and VXUS?
CMBS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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, CMBS or VXUS?
CMBS yields 3.62% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so CMBS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CMBS?
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.