CARK vs VXUS
CastleArk Large Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CARK or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | CARK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $339M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 29 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.98% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.21% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 11.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $15,741 | $16,735Best |
| Fund Family | CastleArk Management LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 6, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 7, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.8 years).
CARK 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
CARK vs VXUS Performance
CastleArk Large Growth ETF (CARK) is an ETF from CastleArk Management LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CARK returned +9.21% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, CARK is up 7.98% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CARK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 11.1% 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 -25.2% for CARK and -13.6% 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 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CARK charges 0.54% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $5 annually, a gap of $49 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CARK currently yields 0.01% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of CARK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in CARK and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 29 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CARK | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 0.65% | 0.32% | 0.33% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CARK 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, CARK or VXUS?
CARK has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $49 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CARK or VXUS?
Over the past year CARK returned +9.21% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CARK or VXUS?
CARK has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 11.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: CARK -25.2% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both CARK and VXUS?
CARK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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, CARK or VXUS?
CARK yields 0.01% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CARK?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.