NEAR vs VXUS
iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NEAR or VXUS?
Short Term 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 | NEAR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.44% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,887 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.02% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.40% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.91% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.16% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.6%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,683 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 26, 2013 to Sep 16, 2026 (13 years).
NEAR 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 13 years both funds cover.
NEAR vs VXUS Performance
iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) 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 NEAR returned -1.40% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, NEAR is down 2.02% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, NEAR compounded at +3.91% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.16% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.45% annualized vs +2.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 1.6% for NEAR. 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 -9.6% for NEAR 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NEAR charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NEAR currently yields 4.44% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 578 holdings in NEAR and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 50.1% and 88.8% 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 578 positions we hold weights for in NEAR and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,887 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NEAR 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, NEAR or VXUS?
NEAR has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NEAR or VXUS?
Over the past year NEAR returned -1.40% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), NEAR annualized +2.11% vs +5.45% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NEAR or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 1.6% for NEAR. Worst drawdown: NEAR -9.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NEAR and VXUS?
NEAR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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, NEAR or VXUS?
NEAR yields 4.44% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so NEAR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NEAR?
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.