TBT vs VXUS
ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, TBT or VXUS?
Trading-Inverse Debt against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TBT led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y 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 | TBT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.93% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $300M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.54% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 10 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +14.87%Best | +12.88% |
| 1Y Return | +19.80% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.22% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.19%Best | +8.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -91.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,142Best | $15,295 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Debt | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 29, 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 23, 2026 (15.7 years).
TBT 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
TBT vs VXUS Performance
ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury ETF (TBT) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TBT returned +19.80% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, TBT is up 14.87% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, TBT compounded at +4.22% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +21.19% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.72% annualized vs -7.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -91.3% for TBT 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 0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TBT charges 0.93% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $93 vs $5 annually, a gap of $88 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TBT currently yields 2.54% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in TBT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 77.5% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in TBT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 10 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TBT 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, TBT or VXUS?
TBT has an expense ratio of 0.93% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $88 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TBT or VXUS?
Over the past year TBT returned +19.80% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), TBT annualized -7.51% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TBT or VXUS?
TBT has been the more volatile fund at 26.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: TBT -91.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both TBT and VXUS?
TBT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.03, 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, TBT or VXUS?
TBT yields 2.54% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so TBT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than TBT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TBT led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.