AKAF vs VXUS
The Frontier Economic Fund ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AKAF or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led 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 | AKAF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.86% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 143 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.41% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.76% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,656 | $12,770Best |
| Fund Family | Frontier Economic Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1.2 years).
AKAF 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
AKAF vs VXUS Performance
The Frontier Economic Fund ETF (AKAF) is an ETF from Frontier Economic Fund and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AKAF returned +14.76% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, AKAF is up 8.41% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AKAF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 13.2% 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 -9.3% for AKAF and -11.3% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AKAF charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AKAF currently yields 2.86% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 17.0% of AKAF'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.
AKAF and VXUS share little of their money.
18 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in AKAF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 143 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AKAF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 1.56% | 0.02% | 1.54% |
| REP:MARepsol S.a | 1.48% | 0.07% | 1.41% |
| 9101:JPNippon Yusen Kk | 1.50% | 0.03% | 1.47% |
| S32:AUSouth32 Limited Ordinary Shares | 1.46% | 0.03% | 1.43% |
| STO:AUSantos Ltd | 1.45% | 0.04% | 1.41% |
| TECK.B:CATeck Resources Ltd. Class B | 1.38% | 0.06% | 1.32% |
| DSV:CODsv A/s | 1.33% | 0.09% | 1.24% |
| KGC:CAKinross Gold Corp | 1.32% | 0.06% | 1.26% |
| NST:AUNorthern Star Resources Ltd. Shs | 1.33% | 0.04% | 1.29% |
| 293:HKCathay Pacific Airways Ltd | 0.71% | 0.01% | 0.70% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AKAF 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, AKAF or VXUS?
AKAF has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AKAF or VXUS?
Over the past year AKAF returned +14.76% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), AKAF annualized +21.69% vs +22.60% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AKAF or VXUS?
AKAF has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AKAF -9.3% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both AKAF and VXUS?
AKAF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 AKAF and VXUS?
At least 17.0% of AKAF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in AKAF and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AKAF or VXUS?
AKAF yields 2.86% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so AKAF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AKAF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.