ASET vs VXUS
FlexShares Real Assets Allocation Index Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ASET or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | ASET | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.39% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 4 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -42.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 9.9 years | $18,055 | $18,533Best |
| Fund Family | Flexshares Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 23, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 333 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ASET has data through Oct 20, 2025 and VXUS through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 9.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 24, 2015 to Oct 20, 2025 (9.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.4% for ASET. 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 -42.8% for ASET 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASET charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASET currently yields 3.39% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ASET 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, ASET or VXUS?
ASET has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ASET or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.4% for ASET. Worst drawdown: ASET -42.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ASET and VXUS?
ASET and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ASET or VXUS?
ASET yields 3.39% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so ASET currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ASET?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.