ASCI vs VXUS
abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ASCI or VXUS?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
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 | ASCI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $78M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.76% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 55 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +3.62% | +9.63%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.60% | +13.15%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -11.2%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $10,505 | $11,377Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 1996 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2025 to Oct 27, 2026 (1 years).
ASCI 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 years both funds cover.
ASCI vs VXUS Performance
abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ASCI returned +2.60% while VXUS returned +13.15%. Year to date, ASCI is up 3.62% versus a gain of 9.63% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ASCI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 14.9% 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 -11.2% for ASCI 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASCI charges 0.70% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $5 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASCI currently yields 0.76% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 68.6% of ASCI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
34 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in ASCI and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 55 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ASCI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DPLM:LNDiploma Plc Common Stock Gbp 5 | 4.78% | 0.03% | 4.75% |
| 7936:JPAsics Corp | 3.96% | 0.04% | 3.92% |
| 6544:TKJapan Elevator Service Holdings Co Ltd | 3.69% | 0.00% | 3.69% |
| ALQ:AUAls Ltd | 3.53% | 0.02% | 3.51% |
| HILS:LNHill & Smith Holdings Plc | 3.32% | 0.01% | 3.31% |
| 443060:KRHd Hyundai Marine Solution Co Ltd | 2.88% | 0.01% | 2.87% |
| RA:MXBanregio Grupo Financiero Sab | 2.87% | 0.00% | 2.87% |
| 6532:JPBaycurrent Inc | 2.79% | 0.02% | 2.77% |
| VNT:AUVentia Pty Ltd | 2.71% | 0.01% | 2.70% |
| 3023:TWSinbon Electronics Co Ltd | 2.71% | 0.00% | 2.71% |
68.6% of ASCI 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, ASCI or VXUS?
ASCI has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ASCI or VXUS?
Over the past year ASCI returned +2.60% vs +13.15% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ASCI annualized +5.05% vs +13.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ASCI or VXUS?
ASCI has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ASCI -11.2% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both ASCI and VXUS?
ASCI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 ASCI and VXUS?
At least 68.6% of ASCI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 34 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in ASCI and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ASCI or VXUS?
ASCI yields 0.76% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ASCI?
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.