MUS vs VXUS
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund, Inc. vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MUS or VXUS?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MUS led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | MUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $181M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.78% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 233 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.4%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 10.1 years | $20,125Best | $12,607 |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 1998 | 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 2015 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MUS has data through Mar 5, 2021 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Mar 5, 2021 (10.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 11.4% for MUS. 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 -29.7% for MUS 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 0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUS charges 1.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $5 annually, a gap of $145 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUS currently yields 0.78% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUS 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, MUS or VXUS?
MUS has an expense ratio of 1.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $145 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MUS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 11.4% for MUS. Worst drawdown: MUS -29.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MUS and VXUS?
MUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.12, 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, MUS or VXUS?
MUS yields 0.78% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MUS led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.