GOVT vs VXUS
iShares US Treasury Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GOVT or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | GOVT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Tie | 0.05%Tie |
| AUM | $41.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.65% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 211 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -3.50% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.37% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.31% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.50% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,272 | $15,485Best |
| 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 24, 2012 to Sep 17, 2026 (14.6 years).
GOVT 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.
GOVT vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT) 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 GOVT returned -3.37% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, GOVT is down 3.50% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, GOVT compounded at +2.31% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.50% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.60% annualized vs +0.95%.
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 4.5% for GOVT. 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 -23.4% for GOVT 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 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GOVT charges 0.05% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $5 annually. On income, GOVT currently yields 3.65% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 172 holdings in GOVT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 81.4% and 88.8% 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 172 positions we hold weights for in GOVT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 211 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GOVT 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, GOVT or VXUS?
GOVT has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VXUS charges 0.05%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, GOVT or VXUS?
Over the past year GOVT returned -3.37% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), GOVT annualized +0.95% vs +5.60% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GOVT or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 4.5% for GOVT. Worst drawdown: GOVT -23.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GOVT and VXUS?
GOVT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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, GOVT or VXUS?
GOVT yields 3.65% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GOVT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GOVT?
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.