FTBD vs VXUS
Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FTBD or VXUS?
Long Term High Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | FTBD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.46% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 775 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.44% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.33% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.93% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.0%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.6 years | $11,358 | $17,026Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 24, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.6 years).
FTBD 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 3.6 years both funds cover.
FTBD vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF (FTBD) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FTBD returned -0.33% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, FTBD is down 0.44% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, FTBD compounded at +4.93% per year against +20.00% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +15.93% annualized vs +3.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 5.8% for FTBD. 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 -7.0% for FTBD and -13.6% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTBD charges 0.55% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $5 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTBD currently yields 5.46% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 618 holdings in FTBD and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 86.7% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, FTBD as of Nov 30, 2025 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 618 positions we hold weights for in FTBD and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 775 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTBD 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, FTBD or VXUS?
FTBD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTBD or VXUS?
Over the past year FTBD returned -0.33% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), FTBD annualized +3.60% vs +15.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTBD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 5.8% for FTBD. Worst drawdown: FTBD -7.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both FTBD and VXUS?
FTBD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, FTBD or VXUS?
FTBD yields 5.46% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FTBD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FTBD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.