BNDX vs. BIV
BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BNDX returned 1.71%/yr vs 1.93%/yr for BIV. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BNDX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.
Performance
BNDX vs. BIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BNDX achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, BNDX has underperformed BIV with an annualized return of 1.71%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively higher 1.93% annualized return.
BNDX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 0.44%
- 1Y
- 1.86%
- 3Y*
- 4.14%
- 5Y*
- 0.35%
- 10Y*
- 1.71%
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%
BNDX vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 0.64% | 2.86% | 3.57% | 8.77% | -12.76% | -2.29% | 4.65% | 7.87% | 2.81% | 2.40% |
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% |
Correlation
The correlation between BNDX and BIV is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2013 | 0.71 |
The correlation between BNDX and BIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BNDX vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank
BNDX
BIV
BNDX vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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.
| BNDX | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.82 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.19 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.64 | 1.37 | -0.73 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.82 | 4.13 | -2.31 |
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
| BNDX | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.55 | 1.08 | -0.54 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 | 0.04 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.42 | 0.35 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.61 | 0.65 | -0.04 |
Drawdowns
BNDX vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BNDX drawdown since its inception was -16.23%, smaller than the maximum BIV drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDX and BIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BNDX | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.23% | -18.95% | +2.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.93% | -3.18% | +0.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.93% | -6.07% | +3.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.86% | -18.74% | +2.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.23% | -18.95% | +2.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.39% | -1.91% | +0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.08% | -3.39% | +0.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.03% | 1.05% | -0.02% |
Volatility
BNDX vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) has a higher volatility of 1.57% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) at 1.36%. This indicates that BNDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BNDX | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.57% | 1.36% | +0.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.91% | 2.90% | +0.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.43% | 4.06% | -0.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.88% | 6.40% | -1.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.09% | 5.50% | -1.41% |
BNDX vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
BNDX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than BIV's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BNDX vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison
BNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, more than BIV's 4.21% 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% |
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 4.49% | 4.39% | 4.18% | 4.42% | 1.51% | 3.74% | 1.11% | 3.40% | 3.01% | 2.23% | 1.89% | 1.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BNDX and BIV have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BNDX has higher volatility (1.57%) compared to BIV (1.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDX dropped -16.23% vs BIV's -18.95%.
On 10-year performance, BIV leads with 1.93% vs 1.71% for BNDX. 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, BIV has performed better with a 1.93% return vs 1.71%. 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 0.07% for BNDX.
BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.49%, compared with 4.21% for BIV.
BNDX is categorized as Global Bonds, while BIV is Intermediate Core Bond. BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for BNDX and 0.03% for BIV.
BIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.55), 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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