CGUS vs VXUS

CGUS vs VXUS

Which is better, CGUS or VXUS?

Each has led over a different period.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CGUS led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: split

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

MetricCGUSVXUS
Expense Ratio0.33%0.05%Best
AUM$11.7B$158.1B
Dividend Yield0.82%2.51%
Holdings758,747
YTD Return+9.09%+12.21%Best
1Y Return+11.99%+19.22%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+20.30%Best+19.10%
5Y Return (annualized)-+8.63%
Volatility (annualized)14.9%Best15.4%
Max Drawdown-21.9%Best-24.1%
$10,000 over 4.6 years$18,785Best$16,540
Fund FamilyCapital Group (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionFeb 22, 2022Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2022 to Sep 16, 2026 (4.6 years).

CGUS 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 4.6 years both funds cover.

CGUS vs VXUS Performance

Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) is an ETF from Capital Group (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CGUS returned +11.99% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, CGUS is up 9.09% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.

Over three years, CGUS compounded at +20.30% per year against +19.10% 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 15.4% compared with 14.9% for CGUS. 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 -21.9% for CGUS and -24.1% 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

CGUS charges 0.33% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $33 vs $5 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CGUS currently yields 0.82% against 2.51% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

CGUS already in VXUS5.3%

At least 5.3% of CGUS'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.

CGUS and VXUS share little of their money.

5 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in CGUS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 75 and 8,747.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in CGUSWeight in VXUSDifference
BATS:LNBritish American Tobacco Plc Common Stock GBP 251.71%0.28%1.43%
ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv0.54%1.42%0.88%
CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd1.46%0.22%1.24%
GFL:CAGfl Environmental Inc0.95%0.02%0.93%
TRP:CATc Energy Corp0.63%0.16%0.47%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of CGUS and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

CGUSVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, CGUS or VXUS?

CGUS has an expense ratio of 0.33% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, CGUS or VXUS?

Over the past year CGUS returned +11.99% vs +19.22% 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, CGUS or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.9% for CGUS. Worst drawdown: CGUS -21.9% vs VXUS -24.1%.

Should I hold both CGUS and VXUS?

CGUS 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.

What is the holdings overlap between CGUS and VXUS?

At least 5.3% of CGUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in CGUS and 8,082 in VXUS.

Which pays a higher dividend, CGUS or VXUS?

CGUS yields 0.82% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than CGUS?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CGUS led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.