VCOB vs VXUS
Voya Core Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VCOB or VXUS?
Intermediate Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y.
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 | VCOB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $90M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.51% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 1,742 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | -3.59% | +9.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.18% | +13.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.6%Best | 15.2% |
| Fund Family | Voya Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Intermediate Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VCOB 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.
VCOB vs VXUS Performance
Voya Core Bond ETF (VCOB) is an ETF from Voya Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCOB returned -3.18% while VXUS returned +13.33%. Year to date, VCOB is down 3.59% versus a gain of 9.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 4.6% for VCOB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCOB 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, VCOB currently yields 0.51% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 618 holdings in VCOB and 8,463 in VXUS, totalling 28.5% and 89.2% 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 618 positions we hold weights for in VCOB and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 1,742 and 9,293.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCOB 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, VCOB or VXUS?
VCOB 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, VCOB or VXUS?
Over the past year VCOB returned -3.18% vs +13.33% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCOB or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 4.6% for VCOB.
Should I hold both VCOB and VXUS?
VCOB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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, VCOB or VXUS?
VCOB yields 0.51% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VCOB?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.