VXUS vs WEA
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Western Asset Premier Bond Fund
Which is better, VXUS or WEA?
Large Cap Blend against Long Term Low Quality.
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 | VXUS | WEA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 1.22% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $131M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 7.57% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 386 |
| YTD Return | +14.48%Best | -2.18% |
| 1Y Return | +22.28%Best | -0.04% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.00%Best | +5.94% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.91%Best | +0.65% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -46.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,323Best | $10,329 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Long Term Low Quality |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Mar 28, 2002 |
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 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs WEA 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs WEA Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (WEA) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% while WEA returned -0.04%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.48% versus a loss of 2.18% for WEA.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.00% per year against +5.94% for WEA; over five years the annualized figures are +8.91% and +0.65% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs +0.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 13.0% for WEA. 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 -39.9% for VXUS and -46.4% for WEA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WEA charges 1.22%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $122 annually, a gap of $117 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 7.57% for WEA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,091 holdings in VXUS and 246 in WEA, totalling 87.7% and 110.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026 and WEA as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 246 in WEA, against full books of 8,747 and 386.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and WEA 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, VXUS or WEA?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WEA charges 1.22%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $117 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WEA?
Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% vs -0.04% for WEA, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.82% vs +0.24% for WEA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WEA?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.0% for WEA. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs WEA -46.4%.
Should I hold both VXUS and WEA?
VXUS and WEA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, VXUS or WEA?
VXUS yields 2.51% while WEA yields 7.57%, so WEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WEA better than VXUS?
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.