BLV vs. VXUS

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BLV is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted 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, BLV returned 0.32%/yr vs 9.41%/yr for VXUS. Their -0.06 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. BLV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

BLV vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BLV achieves a -2.38% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 13.32% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 0.32%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.41% annualized return.

BLV

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: -3.14%
• 6M: -2.34%
• YTD: -2.38%
• 1Y: -0.29%
• 3Y*: 2.08%
• 5Y*: -5.11%
• 10Y*: 0.32%
• ALL TIME*: 4.05%

VXUS

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.21%
• 6M: 6.72%
• YTD: 13.32%
• 1Y: 28.21%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 8.68%
• 10Y*: 9.41%
• ALL TIME*: 6.58%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF	$51.99M	$52.76M	$45.16M
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	$365.42M	$401.26M	$508.45M

BLV vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF	-2.38%	6.44%	-3.65%	7.35%	-26.95%	-2.89%	16.13%	18.99%	-4.17%	10.74%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	13.32%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between BLV and VXUS is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	-0.06

The correlation between BLV and VXUS shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.41 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BLV vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BLV

BLV Risk / Return Rank: 10
BLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
BLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
BLV Omega Ratio Rank: 9
BLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
BLV Martin Ratio Rank: 10

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 72
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BLV vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BLV	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.04	1.68	-1.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.00	2.32	-2.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.31	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.05	2.51	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.11	9.21	-9.32

BLV vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLV Sharpe Ratio is -0.04, which is lower than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLV and VXUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BLV vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLV	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.29%	-35.97%	-2.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.92%	-11.27%	+5.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.70%	-13.58%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.27%	-29.44%	-6.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.29%	-35.97%	-2.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.16%	-2.34%	-23.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.64%	-8.16%	-1.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	3.07%	-0.41%

Volatility

BLV vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 2.19%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.30%. This indicates that BLV 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.

Volatility by Period

	BLV	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.19%	5.30%	-3.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.97%	14.98%	-9.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.77%	16.87%	-9.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.91%	16.35%	-3.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.95%	17.03%	-5.08%

BLV vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLV 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

BLV vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than VXUS's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF	4.97%	4.67%	5.09%	4.06%	4.17%	3.37%	6.12%	3.57%	4.07%	3.63%	4.16%	4.37%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.57%	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

Can I hold both BLV and VXUS in my portfolio?

BLV and VXUS have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BLV or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to BLV (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, BLV or VXUS?

On 10-year performance, VXUS leads with 9.41% vs 0.32% for BLV. On fees, BLV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BLV or VXUS?

Over the 10-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 9.41% return vs 0.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BLV or VXUS?

BLV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VXUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BLV or VXUS?

BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 2.57% for VXUS.

What is the main difference between BLV and VXUS?

BLV is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while VXUS is Global Equities. BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BLV and 0.05% for VXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs -0.04), 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.