MBNE vs VXUS
State Street Nuveen Municipal Bond ESG ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MBNE or VXUS?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | MBNE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.50% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 37 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.5%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.2%Best | -23.0% |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $10,885 | $15,973Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 4, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 133 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MBNE has data through May 12, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 22, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2022 to May 12, 2026 (4.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 5.5% for MBNE. 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 -6.2% for MBNE and -23.0% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MBNE charges 0.43% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $5 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MBNE currently yields 3.50% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8 holdings in MBNE and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 20.7% and 88.8% 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 182 days apart, MBNE as of Jan 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 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 8 positions we hold weights for in MBNE and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 37 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MBNE 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, MBNE or VXUS?
MBNE has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MBNE or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 5.5% for MBNE. Worst drawdown: MBNE -6.2% vs VXUS -23.0%.
Should I hold both MBNE and VXUS?
MBNE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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, MBNE or VXUS?
MBNE yields 3.50% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so MBNE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MBNE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.