VTES vs VXUS
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VTES or VXUS?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS led 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 | VTES | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Tie | 0.05%Tie |
| AUM | $2.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.74% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3,326 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.32% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.01% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.74% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.3%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.4%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $10,899 | $17,669Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 7, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 9, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.5 years).
VTES 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 3.5 years both funds cover.
VTES vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTES returned +0.01% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, VTES is down 0.32% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, VTES compounded at +2.74% per year against +19.33% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +17.66% annualized vs +2.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 2.3% for VTES. 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 -2.4% for VTES 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTES charges 0.05% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $5 annually. On income, VTES currently yields 2.74% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in VTES and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 0.1% 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 7 positions we hold weights for in VTES and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 3,326 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTES 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, VTES or VXUS?
VTES has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VXUS charges 0.05%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VTES or VXUS?
Over the past year VTES returned +0.01% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), VTES annualized +2.49% vs +17.66% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTES or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 2.3% for VTES. Worst drawdown: VTES -2.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both VTES and VXUS?
VTES and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, VTES or VXUS?
VTES yields 2.74% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VTES currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VTES?
VXUS led 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.