BIV vs. VXUS
BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BIV returned 1.93%/yr vs 9.69%/yr for VXUS. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. BIV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.
Performance
BIV vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.11% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 14.45% return. Over the past 10 years, BIV has underperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 1.93%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.69% annualized return.
BIV
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.04%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- -0.10%
- 1Y
- 4.33%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- 0.28%
- 10Y*
- 1.93%
VXUS
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 3.40%
- YTD
- 14.45%
- 6M
- 16.87%
- 1Y
- 31.38%
- 3Y*
- 19.55%
- 5Y*
- 8.49%
- 10Y*
- 9.69%
BIV vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.11% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 14.45% | 32.35% | 5.08% | 15.86% | -16.08% | 8.98% | 10.66% | 21.75% | -14.43% | 27.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between BIV and VXUS is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011 | -0.04 |
The correlation between BIV and VXUS shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (all time) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BIV vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank
BIV
VXUS
BIV vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| BIV | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.38 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.37 | 2.80 | -1.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.13 | 10.92 | -6.79 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BIV | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 2.08 | -0.99 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.53 | -0.49 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 | 0.57 | -0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.65 | 0.39 | +0.26 |
Drawdowns
BIV vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, smaller than the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and VXUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BIV | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.95% | -35.97% | +17.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.18% | -11.27% | +8.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.07% | -13.58% | +7.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.74% | -29.44% | +10.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.95% | -35.97% | +17.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.91% | -0.82% | -1.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.39% | -8.22% | +4.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 2.88% | -1.83% |
Volatility
BIV vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) is 1.36%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that BIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BIV | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.36% | 5.46% | -4.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.90% | 13.00% | -10.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.06% | 15.20% | -11.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.40% | 16.04% | -9.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.50% | 17.15% | -11.65% |
BIV vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
BIV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BIV vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison
BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, more than VXUS's 2.65% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.21% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 2.65% | 3.18% | 3.37% | 3.24% | 3.09% | 3.10% | 2.14% | 3.06% | 3.18% | 2.73% | 2.93% | 2.83% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BIV and VXUS have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXUS has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to BIV (1.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs VXUS's -35.97%.
On 10-year performance, VXUS leads with 9.69% vs 1.93% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 9.69% return vs 1.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VXUS.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 2.65% for VXUS.
BIV is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VXUS is Global Equities. BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BIV and 0.05% for VXUS.
VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.08), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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