The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares (VEA) and the iShares MBS ETF (MBB) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. VEA is a Vanguard Foreign Large Blend fund and MBB is a iShares Intermediate Government fund. So, what’s the difference between VEA and MBB? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of VEA is 0.01 percentage points lower than MBB’s (0.05% vs. 0.06%). VEA also has a high exposure to the financial services sector while MBB is mostly comprised of AAA bonds. Overall, VEA has provided higher returns than MBB over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare VEA vs. MBB. We’ll look at fund composition and annual returns, as well as at their holdings and risk metrics. Moreover, I’ll also discuss VEA’s and MBB’s industry exposure, portfolio growth, and performance and examine how these affect their overall returns.
Summary
| VEA | MBB | |
| Name | Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares | iShares MBS ETF |
| Category | Foreign Large Blend | Intermediate Government |
| Issuer | Vanguard | iShares |
| AUM | 157.48B | 25.69B |
| Avg. Return | 7.05% | 3.08% |
| Div. Yield | 2.49% | 1.88% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.06% |
The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares (VEA) is a Foreign Large Blend fund that is issued by Vanguard. It currently has 157.48B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 7.05% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 2.49% with an expense ratio of 0.05%.
The iShares MBS ETF (MBB) is a Intermediate Government fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 25.69B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 3.08% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.88% with an expense ratio of 0.06%.
VEA’s dividend yield is 0.61% higher than that of MBB (2.49% vs. 1.88%). Also, VEA yielded on average 3.97% more per year over the past decade (7.05% vs. 3.08%). The expense ratio of VEA is 0.01 percentage points lower than MBB’s (0.05% vs. 0.06%).
Fund Composition
Holdings
| VEA Holdings | Weight |
| Nestle SA | 1.5% |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 1.4% |
| ASML Holding NV | 1.16% |
| Roche Holding AG | 1.1% |
| Toyota Motor Corp | 0.92% |
| LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | 0.84% |
| Novartis AG | 0.82% |
| Shopify Inc A | 0.7% |
| AstraZeneca PLC | 0.67% |
| SAP SE | 0.66% |
VEA’s Top Holdings are Nestle SA, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, ASML Holding NV, Roche Holding AG, and Toyota Motor Corp at 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.16%, 1.1%, and 0.92%.
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (0.84%), Novartis AG (0.82%), and Shopify Inc A (0.7%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. AstraZeneca PLC and SAP SE are also represented in the VEA’s holdings at 0.67% and 0.66%.
| MBB Bond Sectors | Weight |
| AAA | 99.51% |
| Others | 0.49% |
| Below B | 0.0% |
| B | 0.0% |
| BB | 0.0% |
| BBB | 0.0% |
| A | 0.0% |
| AA | 0.0% |
| US Government | 0.0% |
MBB’s Top Bond Sectors are ratings of AAA, Others, Below B, B, and BB at 99.51%, 0.49%, 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0%. The fund is less weighted towards BBB (0.0%), A (0.0%), and AA (0.0%) rated bonds.
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | VEA | MBB |
| 2020 | 10.29% | 4.03% |
| 2019 | 22.08% | 6.27% |
| 2018 | -14.47% | 0.81% |
| 2017 | 26.44% | 2.37% |
| 2016 | 2.51% | 1.28% |
| 2015 | -0.21% | 1.28% |
| 2014 | -5.71% | 6.16% |
| 2013 | 22.12% | -1.92% |
| 2012 | 18.6% | 2.23% |
| 2011 | -12.57% | 5.88% |
| 2010 | 8.47% | 5.44% |
VEA had its best year in 2017 with an annual return of 26.44%. VEA’s worst year over the past decade yielded -14.47% and occurred in 2018. In most years the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares provided moderate returns such as in 2016, 2010, and 2020 where annual returns amounted to 2.51%, 8.47%, and 10.29% respectively.
The year 2019 was the strongest year for MBB, returning 6.27% on an annual basis. The poorest year for MBB in the last ten years was 2013, with a yield of -1.92%. Most years the iShares MBS ETF has given investors modest returns, such as in 2012, 2017, and 2020, when gains were 2.23%, 2.37%, and 4.03% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| VEA | $10,000 | $19,290 | 7.05% |
| MBB | $10,000 | $13,906 | 3.08% |
A $10,000 investment in VEA would have resulted in a final balance of $19,290. This is a profit of $9,290 over 11 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.05%.
With a $10,000 investment in MBB, the end total would have been $13,906. This equates to a $3,906 profit over 11 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.08%.
VEA’s CAGR is 3.97 percentage points higher than that of MBB and as a result, would have yielded $5,384 more on a $10,000 investment. Thus, VEA outperformed MBB by 3.97% annually.
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