GOVZ vs VXUS
iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GOVZ or VXUS?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GOVZ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | GOVZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $324M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.17% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 22 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +255.90%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +240.53%Best | +22.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +47.15%Best | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.00%Best | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 125.4% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.6% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,623Best | $15,260 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2020 to Sep 10, 2026 (6 years).
GOVZ 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 6 years both funds cover.
GOVZ vs VXUS Performance
iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) 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 GOVZ returned +240.53% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, GOVZ is up 255.90% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, GOVZ compounded at +47.15% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.00% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +12.21% annualized vs +7.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GOVZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 125.4% compared with 14.9% 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 -59.6% for GOVZ and -29.4% 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 0.17. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GOVZ charges 0.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $5 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GOVZ currently yields 5.17% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 18 holdings in GOVZ and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 85.9% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, GOVZ as of Aug 31, 2026 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in GOVZ and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 22 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GOVZ 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, GOVZ or VXUS?
GOVZ has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GOVZ or VXUS?
Over the past year GOVZ returned +240.53% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so GOVZ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), GOVZ annualized +7.68% vs +12.21% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GOVZ or VXUS?
GOVZ has been the more volatile fund at 125.4% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GOVZ -59.6% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both GOVZ and VXUS?
GOVZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.17, 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, GOVZ or VXUS?
GOVZ yields 5.17% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GOVZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GOVZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GOVZ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.