IBHG vs VXUS
iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IBHG or VXUS?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. 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 | IBHG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $525M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 91 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.00% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.15% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.51% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.66% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.8%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,403 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 7, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
IBHG vs VXUS Performance
iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHG) 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 IBHG returned -1.15% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, IBHG is down 2.00% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, IBHG compounded at +5.51% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.66% and +8.91% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% 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 -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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBHG charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBHG currently yields 6.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 348 holdings in IBHG and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 95.3% 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, IBHG 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 348 positions we hold weights for in IBHG and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 91 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBHG 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, IBHG or VXUS?
IBHG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBHG or VXUS?
Over the past year IBHG returned -1.15% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBHG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 6.7% for IBHG. Worst drawdown: IBHG -13.8% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both IBHG and VXUS?
IBHG 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, IBHG or VXUS?
IBHG yields 6.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IBHG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IBHG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. 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.