IBHG vs VTI

IBHG vs VTI

Which is better, IBHG or VTI?

High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTI

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

MetricIBHGVTI
Expense Ratio0.35%0.03%Best
AUM$525M$666.9B
Dividend Yield6.00%1.03%
Holdings913,543
YTD Return-2.00%+12.57%Best
1Y Return-1.15%+17.22%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+5.51%+20.87%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+2.66%+11.86%Best
Volatility (annualized)6.7%Best15.9%
Max Drawdown-13.8%Best-25.4%
$10,000 over 5 years$11,403$17,514Best
Fund FamilyiShares by BlackRock (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
StyleHigh Yield BondLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJul 7, 2021May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 9, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.2 years).

IBHG vs VTI 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 5.2 years both funds cover.

IBHG vs VTI Performance

iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IBHG returned -1.15% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, IBHG is down 2.00% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.

Over three years, IBHG compounded at +5.51% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.66% and +11.86% respectively.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 6.7% for IBHG. 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 -13.8% for IBHG and -25.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

IBHG charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBHG currently yields 6.00% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 348 holdings in IBHG and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 95.3% and 90.6% of the two funds. That is not enough of VTI to 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 62 days apart, IBHG as of Aug 31, 2026 and VTI 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 348 positions we hold weights for in IBHG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 91 and 3,543.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in IBHGWeight in VTIDifference
CMSCms Energy Corp.0.01%0.03%0.02%
TXTTextron Inc.0.01%0.02%0.01%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of IBHG and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

IBHGVTI

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, IBHG or VTI?

IBHG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, IBHG or VTI?

Over the past year IBHG returned -1.15% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, IBHG or VTI?

VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 6.7% for IBHG. Worst drawdown: IBHG -13.8% vs VTI -25.4%.

Should I hold both IBHG and VTI?

IBHG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, IBHG or VTI?

IBHG yields 6.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IBHG currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than IBHG?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.