DBAW vs VXUS
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DBAW or VXUS?
DBAW has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DBAW led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | DBAW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $321M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.67% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,782 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +14.68%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +24.69%Best | +20.21% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.03%Best | +19.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.44%Best | +8.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,972Best | $15,379 |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2014 to Sep 24, 2026 (12.7 years).
DBAW 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
DBAW vs VXUS Performance
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF (DBAW) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DBAW returned +24.69% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, DBAW is up 14.68% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, DBAW compounded at +21.03% per year against +19.97% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.44% and +8.99% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, DBAW has the edge at +7.56% annualized vs +5.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 12.1% for DBAW. 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 -31.4% for DBAW 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBAW charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBAW currently yields 1.67% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.8% of DBAW'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.
Most of DBAW is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,300 positions in common, counted across the 1,706 positions we hold weights for in DBAW and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,782 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DBAW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 1.72% | 1.42% | 0.30% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 1.72% | 1.41% | 0.31% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.95% | 0.82% | 0.13% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.79% | 0.69% | 0.10% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.77% | 0.66% | 0.11% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.77% | 0.65% | 0.12% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.68% | 0.57% | 0.11% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.63% | 0.62% | 0.01% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.66% | 0.58% | 0.08% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.64% | 0.57% | 0.07% |
72.8% of DBAW 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, DBAW or VXUS?
DBAW has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DBAW or VXUS?
Over the past year DBAW returned +24.69% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so DBAW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), DBAW annualized +7.56% vs +5.73% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBAW or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 12.1% for DBAW. Worst drawdown: DBAW -31.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both DBAW and VXUS?
DBAW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DBAW and VXUS?
At least 72.8% of DBAW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,300 positions in common, counted across the 1,706 positions we hold weights for in DBAW and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DBAW or VXUS?
DBAW yields 1.67% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DBAW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DBAW led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.