BNDW ETF — Vanguard Total World Bond ETF

Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW)

Updated October 16, 2026.

BNDW is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index. its distribution rate is 3.57%, its trailing-12-month yield is 4.39%, its expense ratio is 0.05%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 98/100 (Safe). Total return is 13.5% over the past 8.1 years, 186.4 points behind SPY at 199.9%.

Vanguard Total World Bond ETF is an ETF that tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index, providing exposure to the global investment-grade bond market through a USD-hedged indexing strategy that combines U.S. and international bonds. The fund distributes monthly income at a moderate current distribution rate, with a very low expense ratio of 0.05%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking broad international bond exposure with currency hedging and minimal costs.

BNDW performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 13.5% over the past 8.1 years, 186.4 points behind SPY at 199.9%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is -1.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 3.9%.

BNDW key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

98 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

3.50%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Fixed Income

Inception date

09/04/2018

Expense ratio

0.05%

Distribution rate

3.57%

Distribution frequency

Monthly

Trailing yield

4.39%

Last close

$66.37 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$1,903,234,500

Average volume

90612.0

Dividend

$0.1972

Ex-dividend date

10/01/2026

Payment date

10/05/2026

Beta

0.81

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (3.57%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (4.39%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; Index: Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

BNDW risks and drawbacks

BNDW's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 3.9%.

Who may consider BNDW — and who may not

BNDW may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on BNDW

• All tickers starting with B

Tagged: Basket, Bonds, International, Fixed Income.

Frequently asked questions

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