OVT vs VXUS
Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, OVT 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 | OVT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $60M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.64% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 11 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.92% | +14.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.12% | +24.27%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.81% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.34% | +9.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.1%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,688 | $15,436Best |
| Fund Family | Overlay Shares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 15, 2021 to Sep 9, 2026 (5.6 years).
OVT 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
OVT vs VXUS Performance
Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF (OVT) is an ETF from Overlay Shares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year OVT returned -2.12% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, OVT is down 1.92% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, OVT compounded at +4.81% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.34% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.51% annualized vs +1.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 5.1% for OVT. 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 -13.6% for OVT and -29.4% 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
OVT charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, OVT currently yields 7.64% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in OVT and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 99.8% and 87.7% 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 64 days apart, OVT as of Sep 2, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 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 2 positions we hold weights for in OVT and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 11 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of OVT 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, OVT or VXUS?
OVT has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, OVT or VXUS?
Over the past year OVT returned -2.12% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), OVT annualized +1.70% vs +9.51% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, OVT or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 5.1% for OVT. Worst drawdown: OVT -13.6% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both OVT and VXUS?
OVT 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, OVT or VXUS?
OVT yields 7.64% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so OVT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than OVT?
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.