BRZU vs VXUS
Direxion Daily MSCI Brazil Bull 2X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BRZU or VXUS?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BRZU led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | BRZU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.32% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $98M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.79% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 8 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +29.06%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +62.64%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.23% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.32% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 84.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,355 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 10, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (13.4 years).
BRZU 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 13.4 years both funds cover.
BRZU vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily MSCI Brazil Bull 2X ETF (BRZU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BRZU returned +62.64% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, BRZU is up 29.06% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, BRZU compounded at +12.23% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +4.32% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.90% annualized vs -29.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BRZU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 84.5% compared with 14.5% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BRZU charges 1.32% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $132 vs $5 annually, a gap of $127 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRZU currently yields 1.79% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in BRZU and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 99.2% and 87.7% 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 50 days apart, BRZU as of Aug 19, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in BRZU and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 8 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRZU 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, BRZU or VXUS?
BRZU has an expense ratio of 1.32% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $127 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRZU or VXUS?
Over the past year BRZU returned +62.64% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so BRZU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), BRZU annualized -29.79% vs +5.90% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRZU or VXUS?
BRZU has been the more volatile fund at 84.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS.
Should I hold both BRZU and VXUS?
BRZU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, BRZU or VXUS?
BRZU yields 1.79% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BRZU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BRZU led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.