IBHG vs VXUS

IBHG vs VXUS

Which is better, IBHG or VXUS?

High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: VXUS

MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIBHGVXUS
Expense Ratio0.35%0.05%Best
AUM$532M$163.2B
Dividend Yield5.98%2.34%
Holdings3948,844
YTD Return-2.38%+10.00%Best
1Y Return-1.91%+17.01%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+5.93%+19.55%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+2.58%+8.55%Best
Volatility (annualized)6.7%Best14.9%
Max Drawdown-13.8%Best-29.4%
$10,000 over 5 years$11,358$15,071Best
Fund FamilyiShares by BlackRock (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
StyleHigh Yield BondLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJul 7, 2021Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 9, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.3 years).

IBHG vs VXUS growth

Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.3 years both funds cover.

IBHG vs VXUS Performance

iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IBHG returned -1.91% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, IBHG is down 2.38% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.

Over three years, IBHG compounded at +5.93% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.58% and +8.55% respectively.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 6.7% for IBHG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -13.8% for IBHG and -29.4% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

IBHG charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBHG currently yields 5.98% against 2.34% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 375 holdings in IBHG and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 96.3% and 91.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

0 positions in common, counted across the 375 positions we hold weights for in IBHG and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 394 and 8,844.

What only one of them owns

Measured across the 375 and 8,425 positions we hold weights for.

VXUS holds 39 positions IBHG does not, 1.5% of the fund.

Largest: SHEL 0.56%, VWO 0.11%, K 0.08%, QSR 0.06%, SUNB 0.06%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of IBHG and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

IBHGVXUS

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, IBHG or VXUS?

IBHG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, IBHG or VXUS?

Over the past year IBHG returned -1.91% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, IBHG or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 6.7% for IBHG. Worst drawdown: IBHG -13.8% vs VXUS -29.4%.

Should I hold both IBHG and VXUS?

IBHG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, IBHG or VXUS?

IBHG yields 5.98% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so IBHG currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than IBHG?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.