JNK vs VXUS
State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, JNK 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 | JNK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $6.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.61% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,211 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.71% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.65% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.82% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.27% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.7%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,745 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
JNK 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
JNK vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JNK returned +3.65% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, JNK is up 1.71% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, JNK compounded at +7.82% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.27% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.76% annualized vs +0.58%.
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 7.7% for JNK. 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 -32.8% for JNK 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JNK charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JNK currently yields 6.61% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in JNK and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 0.9% and 87.7% 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 2 positions we hold weights for in JNK and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 1,211 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JNK 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, JNK or VXUS?
JNK has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JNK or VXUS?
Over the past year JNK returned +3.65% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), JNK annualized +0.58% vs +4.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JNK or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 7.7% for JNK. Worst drawdown: JNK -32.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both JNK and VXUS?
JNK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, JNK or VXUS?
JNK yields 6.61% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so JNK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than JNK?
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.