VXUS vs. VTES
VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and VTES (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VTES is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P 0-7 Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VXUS returned 18.37%/yr vs 3.18%/yr for VTES. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VTES.
Performance
VXUS vs. VTES - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 13.69% return, which is significantly higher than VTES's 0.67% return.
VXUS
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 3.09%
- YTD
- 13.69%
- 6M
- 15.52%
- 1Y
- 30.12%
- 3Y*
- 18.37%
- 5Y*
- 8.32%
- 10Y*
- 10.22%
VTES
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.59%
- YTD
- 0.67%
- 6M
- 0.96%
- 1Y
- 3.39%
- 3Y*
- 3.18%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VXUS vs. VTES - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 13.69% | 32.35% | 5.08% | 10.24% |
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.67% | 4.19% | 1.85% | 3.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXUS and VTES is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2023 | 0.17 |
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Return for Risk
VXUS vs. VTES — Risk / Return Rank
VXUS
VTES
VXUS vs. VTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES). 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.
| VXUS | VTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.92 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.62 | -0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | 2.28 | +0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.72 | 6.62 | +3.10 |
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Drawdowns
VXUS vs. VTES - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, which is greater than VTES's maximum drawdown of -2.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and VTES.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXUS | VTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.97% | -2.42% | -33.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.27% | -1.47% | -9.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.58% | -1.80% | -11.78% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.44% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.97% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.47% | -0.60% | -0.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.21% | -0.50% | -7.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.93% | 0.50% | +2.43% |
Volatility
VXUS vs. VTES - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a higher volatility of 6.71% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES) at 0.35%. This indicates that VXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VXUS | VTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.71% | 0.35% | +6.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.02% | 0.98% | +13.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.09% | 1.24% | +14.85% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.21% | 1.71% | +14.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.20% | 1.71% | +15.49% |
VXUS vs. VTES - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VTES's 0.07% 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
VXUS vs. VTES - Dividend Comparison
VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, less than VTES's 2.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 2.75% | 2.77% | 2.99% | 2.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 2.67% | 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
VXUS and VTES have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXUS has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to VTES (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs VTES's -2.42%.
On 3-year performance, VXUS leads with 18.37% vs 3.18% for VTES. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VTES has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 18.37% return vs 3.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VTES.
VTES has the higher dividend yield at 2.75%, compared with 2.67% for VXUS.
VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while VTES is Municipal Bonds. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VTES tracks S&P 0-7 Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.07% for VTES.
VTES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.77), 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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