VUSB vs VXUS
Vanguard Ultra Short Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VUSB or VXUS?
Ultrashort Term 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 | VUSB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.31% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,346 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.62% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.72% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.18% | +19.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.98% | +8.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.2%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.8%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,581 | $15,099Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 5, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2021 to Sep 15, 2026 (5.4 years).
VUSB 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
VUSB vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Ultra Short Bond ETF (VUSB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VUSB returned +0.72% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, VUSB is down 0.62% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, VUSB compounded at +4.18% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.98% and +8.59% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 1.2% for VUSB. 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 -1.8% for VUSB and -29.4% 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VUSB charges 0.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $5 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VUSB currently yields 4.31% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in VUSB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 1.1% 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 3 positions we hold weights for in VUSB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,346 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VUSB | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.83% | 0.76% | 0.07% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VUSB 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, VUSB or VXUS?
VUSB has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VUSB or VXUS?
Over the past year VUSB returned +0.72% vs +19.71% 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, VUSB or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 1.2% for VUSB. Worst drawdown: VUSB -1.8% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both VUSB and VXUS?
VUSB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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, VUSB or VXUS?
VUSB yields 4.31% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VUSB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VUSB?
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.