BND Stock: Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF Shares Profile & Analysis (2026)
The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF offers broad, low-cost exposure to the entire U.S. investment-grade bond market. — Updated May 2026 with current AUM, expense ratio, holdings, and performance data.
The Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF (BND) serves as a cornerstone for many diversified portfolios, providing comprehensive exposure to the taxable investment-grade bond market in the United States. By tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, BND includes over 17,000 individual securities, ranging from U.S. Treasuries to high-quality corporate bonds. This broad reach makes it a primary alternative to the AGG Stock Profile for investors seeking a total market bond solution.
While bond funds typically offer lower volatility than equities, BND provides a steady stream of monthly income, currently yielding over 4%. It is often used by investors to balance the higher risk associated with sectors like the Complete List Of Semiconductor Companies. For those specifically looking for longer-term government debt, comparing BND with the TLT Stock Profile can help determine the right duration for their fixed-income strategy.
Key Takeaways — BND Stock
BND provides access to the entire U.S. investment-grade bond market, including government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities.
With an expense ratio of just 0.03%, BND is one of the most cost-effective ways to hold a diversified bond portfolio.
The fund exclusively holds investment-grade debt, with roughly half the portfolio allocated to U.S. government obligations.
Unlike many stocks that pay quarterly, BND distributes dividends on a monthly basis, making it ideal for income-focused investors.
BND — Live Price Chart
Real-time chart from TradingView.
BND ETF Vitals & Key Statistics
Core data as of May 2026.
| Data Point | Value | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF Shares | Ticker | BND |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Asset Class | Fixed Income (U.S. Investment-Grade) |
| Index Tracked | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index | Structure | ETF |
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | AUM | ~$390B |
| Inception Date | April 3, 2007 | Exchange | NASDAQ |
| No. of Holdings | 17,367 | Dividend Yield | 4.06% |
| 52-Week High | $75.23 | 52-Week Low | $72.19 |
| Avg Daily Volume | ~9.99 million | YTD Return | 0.27% |
| 1-Year Return | 5.11% | 5-Year Return | 0.07% |
| Category | Intermediate Core Bond | Dividend Frequency | Monthly |
BND Top 10 Holdings (May 2026)
Largest positions by weight. Click columns to sort.
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GOVT | U.S. Treasury Bonds | Government | 46.10% |
| 2 | MBS | Mortgage Backed Securities | Agency | 26.80% |
| 3 | CORP | Investment Grade Corporates | Corporate | 18.50% |
| 4 | ABS | Asset Backed Securities | Diversified | 4.30% |
| 5 | AGENCY | Government Agency Debt | Government | 4.14% |
| 6 | IUSB | iShares Core Universal USD Bond | ETF | 0.06% |
| 7 | AGG | iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond | ETF | 0.03% |
| 8 | SCHZ | Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | ETF | 0.03% |
| 9 | CASH | Cash Equivalents | Cash | 0.02% |
| 10 | OTHR | Other Fixed Income Debt | Diversified | 0.02% |
BND — Pros & Cons
✓ Broad Diversification
Holding over 17,000 bonds mitigates the risk of any single issuer defaulting affecting the fund significantly.
✗ Interest Rate Risk
Bond prices move inversely to interest rates; if rates rise, the NAV of BND will likely decrease.
✓ Minimal Expenses
A 0.03% fee means nearly all interest earned is passed through to the investor rather than taken as management fees.
✗ Low Growth Potential
Fixed income typically offers lower total returns compared to the equity market over long periods.
✓ Stability and Income
Provides a buffer against stock market volatility while delivering a consistent 4%+ dividend yield.
✗ Inflation Risk
Fixed coupon payments may lose purchasing power if inflation rises significantly above the fund’s yield.
Who Should Consider BND?
Long-term investors seeking a stable core bond holding to reduce overall portfolio volatility.
Investors looking for high capital appreciation or those unwilling to accept price fluctuations from interest rate changes.
You are nearing retirement and need to shift from an equity-heavy portfolio to one focused on income and capital preservation.
Tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s are best, as bond interest is typically taxed as ordinary income.
BND vs Similar ETFs
Key metrics comparison.
| ETF | Full Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Holdings | Div Yield | YTD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BND ★ | Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF | 0.03% | ~$390B | 17,367 | 4.06% | 0.27% | Core Market Exposure |
| AGG | iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.03% | $110B | 11,000+ | 4.05% | 0.25% | BlackRock Alternative |
| SCHZ | Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.03% | $15B | 8,000+ | 4.08% | 0.26% | Schwab Account Holders |
| TLT | iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 0.15% | $50B | 40+ | 3.90% | -1.50% | Long-Term Gov Debt |
BND Technical Analysis
Real-time buy/sell signals.
BND — Risks & Considerations
Duration Risk
BND has an intermediate duration, meaning its price is sensitive to changes in the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy.
Credit Risk
While mostly gov-backed, ~24% is corporate debt which carries a higher risk of default during economic recessions.
Reinvestment Risk
If interest rates fall, the fund must reinvest maturing bonds into new ones with lower yields, reducing future income.
Call Risk
Some corporate or mortgage bonds may be paid off early by issuers, forcing the fund to buy lower-yielding replacements.