AZTD vs VXUS
Aztlan Global Stock Selection DM SMID ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AZTD or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | AZTD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.93% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 55 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.84% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.11% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.92% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.8% | -14.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $16,484 | $18,497Best |
| Fund Family | Aztlan Equity Management, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 17, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 18, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (4 years).
AZTD 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 4 years both funds cover.
AZTD vs VXUS Performance
Aztlan Global Stock Selection DM SMID ETF (AZTD) is an ETF from Aztlan Equity Management, LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AZTD returned +15.11% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, AZTD is up 12.84% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, AZTD compounded at +16.92% per year against +20.48% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +16.62% annualized vs +13.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AZTD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 14.7% 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 -16.8% for AZTD and -14.8% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AZTD charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AZTD currently yields 0.93% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 31.5% of AZTD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, AZTD as of Aug 17, 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.
16 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in AZTD and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 55 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AZTD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4776:TKCybozu Inc | 2.35% | 0.00% | 2.35% |
| 7552:TKHappinet Corp | 2.27% | 0.00% | 2.27% |
| PHG:ASKoninklijke Philips Nv | 2.14% | 0.05% | 2.09% |
| 1961:JPSanki Engineering Co Ltd | 2.07% | 0.01% | 2.06% |
| PET:CAPet Valu Holdings Ltd | 2.06% | 0.00% | 2.06% |
| 1803:JPShimizu Corp_None_0 | 1.97% | 0.02% | 1.95% |
| LTMC:MILottomatica Group Spa | 1.96% | 0.01% | 1.95% |
| MTO:AUMitie Group Plc | 1.96% | 0.01% | 1.95% |
| ITV:LNItv Plc | 1.92% | 0.01% | 1.91% |
| 5105:JPToyo Tire Corporation | 1.90% | 0.01% | 1.89% |
31.5% of AZTD 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AZTD or VXUS?
AZTD has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AZTD or VXUS?
Over the past year AZTD returned +15.11% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), AZTD annualized +13.31% vs +16.62% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AZTD or VXUS?
AZTD has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AZTD -16.8% vs VXUS -14.8%.
Should I hold both AZTD and VXUS?
AZTD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 AZTD and VXUS?
At least 31.5% of AZTD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in AZTD and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AZTD or VXUS?
AZTD yields 0.93% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AZTD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.