FBND vs VXUS
Fidelity Total Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FBND or VXUS?
Long 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 | FBND | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $27.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.16% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3,499 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.04% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.61% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.60% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.15% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.0%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,075 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 6, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.9 years).
FBND 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
FBND vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FBND returned -0.61% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, FBND is down 1.04% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, FBND compounded at +4.60% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.15% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.38% annualized vs +0.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 5.0% for FBND. 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 -17.3% for FBND 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 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FBND charges 0.36% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $36 vs $5 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FBND currently yields 5.16% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 314 holdings in FBND and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 33.5% and 87.7% 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 314 positions we hold weights for in FBND and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 3,499 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FBND 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, FBND or VXUS?
FBND has an expense ratio of 0.36% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FBND or VXUS?
Over the past year FBND returned -0.61% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FBND annualized +0.88% vs +6.38% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FBND or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 5.0% for FBND. Worst drawdown: FBND -17.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FBND and VXUS?
FBND and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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, FBND or VXUS?
FBND yields 5.16% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FBND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FBND?
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.