GBF vs VXUS
iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GBF or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | GBF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $107M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3,287 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | - | 12.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.1%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $9,790 | $17,401Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 18 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GBF has data through Aug 31, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2023 to Aug 31, 2026 (3.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -2.1% for GBF and -13.6% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GBF charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GBF currently yields 3.82% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,068 holdings in GBF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 83.5% 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 3,068 positions we hold weights for in GBF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 3,287 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GBF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOGG3:BVSouthern Company (the) 3.7 Apr 30, 2030 | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GBF 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, GBF or VXUS?
GBF has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, GBF or VXUS?
GBF yields 3.82% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GBF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GBF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.