DDX vs VXUS
Defined Duration 10 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DDX or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | DDX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $74M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.30% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 10 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +3.19% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.17% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.61% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.03% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.7%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.3%Best | -28.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,015 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | Discipline Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 20, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (5 years).
DDX 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 5 years both funds cover.
DDX vs VXUS Performance
Defined Duration 10 ETF (DDX) is an ETF from Discipline Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DDX returned +4.17% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, DDX is up 3.19% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, DDX compounded at +7.61% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.03% and +8.63% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 8.7% for DDX. 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 -27.3% for DDX and -28.9% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DDX charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DDX currently yields 3.30% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 6 holdings in DDX and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 41.0% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 6 positions we hold weights for in DDX and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 10 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DDX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VWOVanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund;Etf | 4.98% | 0.11% | 4.87% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DDX 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, DDX or VXUS?
DDX has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DDX or VXUS?
Over the past year DDX returned +4.17% 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, DDX or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 8.7% for DDX. Worst drawdown: DDX -27.3% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both DDX and VXUS?
DDX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, DDX or VXUS?
DDX yields 3.30% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so DDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DDX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.