ASGM vs VXUS
Virtus AlphaSimplex Global Macro ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ASGM or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ASGM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | ASGM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.66% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 17 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +23.42%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +27.72%Best | +18.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0%Best | 13.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.4%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $14,027Best | $12,826 |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 4, 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: Aug 5, 2025 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.2 years).
ASGM 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.
ASGM vs VXUS Performance
Virtus AlphaSimplex Global Macro ETF (ASGM) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ASGM returned +27.72% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, ASGM is up 23.42% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 13.0% for ASGM. 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 -7.4% for ASGM 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASGM charges 0.86% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $5 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASGM currently yields 3.66% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in ASGM and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 46.6% and 89.3% 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 46 days apart, ASGM as of Sep 15, 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 3 positions we hold weights for in ASGM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 17 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ASGM 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, ASGM or VXUS?
ASGM has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ASGM or VXUS?
Over the past year ASGM returned +27.72% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so ASGM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ASGM annualized +32.58% vs +23.05% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ASGM or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 13.0% for ASGM. Worst drawdown: ASGM -7.4% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both ASGM and VXUS?
ASGM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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, ASGM or VXUS?
ASGM yields 3.66% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so ASGM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ASGM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ASGM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.