IUS vs. BNDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) and BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Invesco Strategic US Index, while BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IUS returned 13.61%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for BNDX. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IUS charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for BNDX.

Performance

IUS vs. BNDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IUS achieves a 15.71% return, which is significantly higher than BNDX's 0.54% return.

IUS

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.89%
• YTD: 15.71%
• 6M: 15.69%
• 1Y: 33.27%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 13.61%
• 10Y*: —

BNDX

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.23%
• 1Y: 1.82%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 0.33%
• 10Y*: 1.68%

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

IUS vs. BNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	15.71%	16.94%	16.51%	20.79%	-8.34%	32.17%	15.09%	29.34%	-12.49%
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF	0.54%	2.86%	3.57%	8.77%	-12.76%	-2.29%	4.65%	7.87%	1.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IUS and BNDX is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2018	0.06

Over the past year, IUS and BNDX have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.

IUS vs. BNDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IUS	BNDX
Technology	22.4%	-
Communication Services	14.7%	0.0%
Healthcare	12.8%	0.0%
Energy	10.9%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	-
Industrials	9.7%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	-
Financial Services	6.8%	0.0%
Basic Materials	3.3%	-
Utilities	1.0%	0.0%
Real Estate	0.5%	0.0%

Return for Risk

IUS vs. BNDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IUS

IUS Risk / Return Rank: 91
IUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
IUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
IUS Omega Ratio Rank: 90
IUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
IUS Martin Ratio Rank: 92

BNDX

BNDX Risk / Return Rank: 16
BNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
BNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
BNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
BNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
BNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IUS vs. BNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX). 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.

	IUS	BNDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.26	0.53	+2.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.53	0.77	+3.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.10	+0.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.44	0.62	+4.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.27	1.78	+21.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IUS vs. BNDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUS Sharpe Ratio is 3.26, which is higher than the BNDX Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUS and BNDX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IUS	BNDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.26	0.53	+2.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.07	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.61	+0.25

Drawdowns

IUS vs. BNDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUS drawdown since its inception was -34.67%, which is greater than BNDX's maximum drawdown of -16.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUS and BNDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IUS	BNDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.67%	-16.23%	-18.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.15%	-2.93%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.61%	-2.93%	-12.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.72%	-15.86%	-2.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-16.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-1.49%	+1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.86%	-3.09%	-0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.43%	1.02%	+0.41%

Volatility

IUS vs. BNDX - Volatility Comparison

Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) has a higher volatility of 2.50% compared to Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) at 1.57%. This indicates that IUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IUS	BNDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.50%	1.57%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.41%	2.91%	+4.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.26%	3.43%	+6.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.00%	4.88%	+10.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	4.09%	+13.95%

IUS vs. BNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUS has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDX's 0.07% 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

IUS vs. BNDX - Dividend Comparison

IUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than BNDX's 4.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	1.28%	1.48%	1.52%	1.72%	1.78%	1.46%	1.74%	1.77%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IUS and BNDX in my portfolio?

IUS and BNDX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IUS or BNDX?

IUS has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to BNDX (1.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUS dropped -34.67% vs BNDX's -16.23%.

Which ETF is better, IUS or BNDX?

On 5-year performance, IUS leads with 13.61% vs 0.33% for BNDX. On fees, BNDX is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, BNDX has been the lower-risk option at 1.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IUS or BNDX?

Over the 5-year period, IUS has performed better with a 13.61% return vs 0.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IUS or BNDX?

BNDX is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IUS or BNDX?

BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.49%, compared with 1.28% for IUS.

What is the main difference between IUS and BNDX?

IUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BNDX is Global Bonds. IUS tracks Invesco Strategic US Index, while BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IUS and 0.07% for BNDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.26 vs 0.53), 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.