SUB vs VXUS
iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SUB 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 | SUB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $11.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.56% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,925 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.48% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.00% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.91% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.38% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.6%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,709 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 5, 2008 | 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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
SUB 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SUB vs VXUS Performance
iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF (SUB) 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 SUB returned +1.00% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, SUB is up 0.48% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, SUB compounded at +2.91% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.38% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs +0.70%.
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 1.6% for SUB. 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 -9.7% for SUB 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 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SUB charges 0.07% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SUB currently yields 2.56% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 762 holdings in SUB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 29.6% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 762 positions we hold weights for in SUB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 2,925 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SUB | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DML:CADenison Mines Corp | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SUB 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, SUB or VXUS?
SUB has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SUB or VXUS?
Over the past year SUB returned +1.00% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SUB annualized +0.70% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SUB or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 1.6% for SUB. Worst drawdown: SUB -9.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SUB and VXUS?
SUB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, 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, SUB or VXUS?
SUB yields 2.56% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SUB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SUB?
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.