ARDC vs VXUS
Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund Inc. vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ARDC or VXUS?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | ARDC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.69% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $321M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.07% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 316 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -3.13% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.32% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.14% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.40% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -57.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,820 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | Ares Public Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 27, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 28, 2012 to Sep 16, 2026 (13.8 years).
ARDC 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 13.8 years both funds cover.
ARDC vs VXUS Performance
Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund Inc. (ARDC) is an ETF from Ares Public Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARDC returned -10.32% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, ARDC is down 3.13% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, ARDC compounded at +8.14% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.40% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.02% annualized vs +0.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 13.5% for ARDC. 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 -57.1% for ARDC 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARDC charges 3.69% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $369 vs $5 annually, a gap of $364 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARDC currently yields 10.07% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in ARDC and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 68.5% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, ARDC as of Mar 31, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in ARDC and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 316 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARDC 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, ARDC or VXUS?
ARDC has an expense ratio of 3.69% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $364 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARDC or VXUS?
Over the past year ARDC returned -10.32% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), ARDC annualized +0.16% vs +6.02% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARDC or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 13.5% for ARDC. Worst drawdown: ARDC -57.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ARDC and VXUS?
ARDC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, ARDC or VXUS?
ARDC yields 10.07% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so ARDC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ARDC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.