AGD vs VXUS
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AGD or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 1Y and the full window.
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
| Metric | AGD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $325M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.73% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 88 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.77% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.72% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.63%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.77%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,677Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 26, 2006 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
AGD 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
AGD vs VXUS Performance
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (AGD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AGD returned +3.72% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, AGD is up 11.77% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, AGD compounded at +22.63% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.77% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.72% annualized vs +1.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -63.5% for AGD and -39.9% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGD charges 1.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $135 vs $5 annually, a gap of $130 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGD currently yields 11.73% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 26.8% of AGD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
AGD and VXUS share little of their money.
27 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 88 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AGD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 1.60% | 1.42% | 0.18% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 1.69% | 0.54% | 1.15% |
| INGA:ASING Groep N.V. | 1.75% | 0.23% | 1.52% |
| AZN:LNDeveloped Markets Astrazeneca Plc Sponsored Adr | 1.29% | 0.57% | 0.72% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.89% | 0.69% | 0.20% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.99% | 0.58% | 0.41% |
| DTE:FFDeutsche Telekom AG Deutsche Telekom Agnamens Aktien O N | 1.24% | 0.24% | 1.00% |
| 0388:HKHong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Shs | 1.26% | 0.14% | 1.12% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 0.88% | 0.42% | 0.46% |
| ENGIE:PAEngie Sa | 1.15% | 0.07% | 1.08% |
26.8% of AGD is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AGD or VXUS?
AGD has an expense ratio of 1.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $130 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGD or VXUS?
Over the past year AGD returned +3.72% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AGD annualized +1.62% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGD or VXUS?
AGD has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AGD -63.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both AGD and VXUS?
AGD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AGD and VXUS?
At least 26.8% of AGD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGD or VXUS?
AGD yields 11.73% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so AGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AGD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.