MUA vs VXUS
BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MUA or VXUS?
Municipal 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 | MUA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.48% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $661M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.23% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 561 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -6.68% | +11.16%Best |
| 1Y Return | -9.72% | +17.13%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.53% | +20.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.17% | +9.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,512 | $15,514Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 1993 | 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 Oct 1, 2026 (15.7 years).
MUA 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
MUA vs VXUS Performance
BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc (MUA) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MUA returned -9.72% while VXUS returned +17.13%. Year to date, MUA is down 6.68% versus a gain of 11.16% for VXUS.
Over three years, MUA compounded at +8.53% per year against +20.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.17% and +9.18% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.61% annualized vs +0.86%.
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 14.2% for MUA. 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 -43.0% for MUA 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 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUA charges 2.48% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $248 vs $5 annually, a gap of $243 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUA currently yields 6.23% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 196 holdings in MUA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 58.5% and 89.3% 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 196 positions we hold weights for in MUA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 561 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUA 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, MUA or VXUS?
MUA has an expense ratio of 2.48% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $243 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MUA or VXUS?
Over the past year MUA returned -9.72% vs +17.13% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MUA annualized +0.86% vs +4.61% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MUA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.2% for MUA. Worst drawdown: MUA -43.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MUA and VXUS?
MUA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, 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, MUA or VXUS?
MUA yields 6.23% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so MUA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MUA?
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.