FLTB vs VXUS
Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLTB or VXUS?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLTB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | FLTB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $433M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.79% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,056 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.51% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.61% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.37% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.18% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 156.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,139 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | 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: Feb 9, 2011 to Sep 16, 2026 (15.6 years).
FLTB 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.
FLTB vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF (FLTB) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FLTB returned +1.61% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, FLTB is up 0.51% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, FLTB compounded at +5.37% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.18% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FLTB has the edge at +15.74% annualized vs +4.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLTB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 156.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -49.7% for FLTB 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 0.01. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLTB 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, FLTB currently yields 4.79% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 685 holdings in FLTB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 67.7% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 685 positions we hold weights for in FLTB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,056 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLTB | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIN:AUMineral Resources Ltd 9.25% 01Oct2028 | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLTB 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, FLTB or VXUS?
FLTB 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, FLTB or VXUS?
Over the past year FLTB returned +1.61% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FLTB annualized +15.74% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLTB or VXUS?
FLTB has been the more volatile fund at 156.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FLTB -49.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FLTB and VXUS?
FLTB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.01, 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, FLTB or VXUS?
FLTB yields 4.79% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FLTB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLTB?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLTB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.