VGUS vs VXUS
Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VGUS or VXUS?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | VGUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.59% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 91 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.45% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.63% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.5%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.1%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $10,766 | $14,415Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.6 years).
VGUS 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
VGUS vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGUS returned +3.63% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, VGUS is up 2.45% versus a gain of 12.82% 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 12.1% compared with 0.5% for VGUS. 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 -0.1% for VGUS and -13.6% 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 0.25. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGUS 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, VGUS currently yields 3.59% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in VGUS and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 0.3% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in VGUS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 91 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VGUS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.34% | 0.76% | 0.42% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGUS 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, VGUS or VXUS?
VGUS 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, VGUS or VXUS?
Over the past year VGUS returned +3.63% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VGUS annualized +4.72% vs +25.68% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGUS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 0.5% for VGUS. Worst drawdown: VGUS -0.1% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both VGUS and VXUS?
VGUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.25, 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, VGUS or VXUS?
VGUS yields 3.59% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VGUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VGUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.