VXUS vs XHYC
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Consumer Cyclicals Sector ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XHYC?
Large Cap Blend against Long Term High Quality.
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 | VXUS | XHYC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 6.57% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 271 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 8.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -13.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $15,250Best | $12,162 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | BondBloxx |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Long Term High Quality |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Feb 15, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 118 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VXUS has data through Sep 10, 2026 and XHYC through May 15, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 17, 2022 to May 15, 2026 (4.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 8.0% for XHYC. 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 -25.2% for VXUS and -13.7% for XHYC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XHYC charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $35 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 6.57% for XHYC.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,091 holdings in VXUS and 243 in XHYC, totalling 87.7% and 87.8% 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 151 days apart, VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026 and XHYC as of Jan 30, 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 243 in XHYC, against full books of 8,747 and 271.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XHYC 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 XHYC?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XHYC charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XHYC?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 8.0% for XHYC. Worst drawdown: VXUS -25.2% vs XHYC -13.7%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XHYC?
VXUS and XHYC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 XHYC?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XHYC yields 6.57%, so XHYC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XHYC better than VXUS?
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.