STIP vs VXUS
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, STIP or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
STIP 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 | STIP | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $16.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.91% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 27 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.21% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.53% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.80% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.93% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.2%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,553 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2010 | 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 Sep 21, 2026 (15.6 years).
STIP 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
STIP vs VXUS Performance
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF (STIP) 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 STIP returned +1.53% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, STIP is up 1.21% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, STIP compounded at +4.80% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.93% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs +1.44%.
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 2.2% for STIP. 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 -6.9% for STIP 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STIP charges 0.03% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STIP currently yields 4.91% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 24 holdings in STIP and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 89.2% 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 24 positions we hold weights for in STIP and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 27 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STIP 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, STIP or VXUS?
STIP has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. STIP is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STIP or VXUS?
Over the past year STIP returned +1.53% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), STIP annualized +1.44% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STIP or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 2.2% for STIP. Worst drawdown: STIP -6.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both STIP and VXUS?
STIP and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, STIP or VXUS?
STIP yields 4.91% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so STIP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than STIP?
STIP 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.