VXUS vs ZROZ
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Exchange-Traded Fund
Which is better, VXUS or ZROZ?
Large Cap Blend against Long Term Government Bond.
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 | ZROZ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $1.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 5.53% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 23 |
| YTD Return | +14.48%Best | -7.24% |
| 1Y Return | +22.28%Best | -12.05% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.00%Best | -6.26% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.91%Best | -14.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 21.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -63.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,323Best | $4,534 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | PIMCO (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Long Term Government Bond |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Oct 30, 2009 |
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 ZROZ 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 ZROZ Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Exchange-Traded Fund (ZROZ) is an ETF from PIMCO (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% while ZROZ returned -12.05%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.48% versus a loss of 7.24% for ZROZ.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.00% per year against -6.26% for ZROZ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.91% and -14.63% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs +0.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZROZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -63.7% for ZROZ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while ZROZ charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $15 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 5.53% for ZROZ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,091 holdings in VXUS and 19 in ZROZ, totalling 87.7% and 86.6% 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 48 days apart, VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026 and ZROZ as of Aug 17, 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 19 in ZROZ, against full books of 8,747 and 23.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and ZROZ 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 ZROZ?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while ZROZ charges 0.15%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or ZROZ?
Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% vs -12.05% for ZROZ, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.82% vs +0.20% for ZROZ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or ZROZ?
ZROZ has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs ZROZ -63.7%.
Should I hold both VXUS and ZROZ?
VXUS and ZROZ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, 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 ZROZ?
VXUS yields 2.51% while ZROZ yields 5.53%, so ZROZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZROZ 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.