AIO vs VXUS
Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AIO or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AIO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | AIO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.47% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $954M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.01% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 96 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.00%Best | +13.03% |
| 1Y Return | +14.77% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.08%Best | +19.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.74%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.2% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,654Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2019 to Sep 14, 2026 (6.9 years).
AIO 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
AIO vs VXUS Performance
Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (AIO) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AIO returned +14.77% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, AIO is up 19.00% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, AIO compounded at +23.08% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.74% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AIO has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs +9.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 16.3% 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 -45.2% for AIO and -35.1% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIO charges 1.47% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $147 vs $5 annually, a gap of $142 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIO currently yields 11.01% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 77 holdings in AIO and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 83.2% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 4 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, AIO as of Apr 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in AIO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 96 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AIO and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AIO or VXUS?
AIO has an expense ratio of 1.47% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $142 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AIO or VXUS?
Over the past year AIO returned +14.77% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AIO annualized +13.38% vs +9.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIO or VXUS?
AIO has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 16.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AIO -45.2% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both AIO and VXUS?
AIO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, AIO or VXUS?
AIO yields 11.01% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so AIO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AIO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AIO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.