AVK vs VXUS
Advent Convertible and Income Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AVK or VXUS?
Convertibles 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 | AVK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.77% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $609M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.48% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 435 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.14% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.12% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.02% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.13% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,243 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Guggenheim Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 29, 2003 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
AVK 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
AVK vs VXUS Performance
Advent Convertible and Income Fund (AVK) is an ETF from Guggenheim Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AVK returned +11.12% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, AVK is up 6.14% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, AVK compounded at +16.02% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +4.13% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +1.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 15.0% 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 -60.7% for AVK 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVK charges 2.77% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $277 vs $5 annually, a gap of $272 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVK currently yields 10.48% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 266 holdings in AVK and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 110.4% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 6 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, AVK as of Jan 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 266 positions we hold weights for in AVK and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 435 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVK | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXA:PAGroupe Gorge | 0.98% | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| MIN:AUMineral Resources Ltd 9.25% 01Oct2028 | 0.41% | 0.02% | 0.39% |
| IVN:CAIvanhoe Mines Ltd., Class A | 0.38% | 0.01% | 0.37% |
| 5076:JPCalifornia Dept Of Water Resources Water Revenue Cp Series 2 | 0.34% | 0.01% | 0.33% |
| 659:HKCtf Services Ltd | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| 2380:SARabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co | 0.27% | 0.00% | 0.27% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AVK 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, AVK or VXUS?
AVK has an expense ratio of 2.77% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $272 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVK or VXUS?
Over the past year AVK returned +11.12% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AVK annualized +1.74% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVK or VXUS?
AVK has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AVK -60.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both AVK and VXUS?
AVK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, AVK or VXUS?
AVK yields 10.48% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so AVK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AVK?
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.