DFII vs VXUS
FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DFII or VXUS?
Option Writing 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 | DFII | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $20M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 21.96% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 8 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -7.45% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | -25.85% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.8% | 12.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.0% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $9,957 | $14,889Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 2, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.5 years).
DFII 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
DFII vs VXUS Performance
FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFII returned -25.85% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, DFII is down 7.45% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFII has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.8% compared with 12.5% 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 -51.0% for DFII and -11.3% 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 0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFII charges 0.85% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $5 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFII currently yields 21.96% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFII 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, DFII or VXUS?
DFII has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFII or VXUS?
Over the past year DFII returned -25.85% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DFII annualized -0.29% vs +30.39% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFII or VXUS?
DFII has been the more volatile fund at 38.8% annualized versus 12.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DFII -51.0% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both DFII and VXUS?
DFII and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.02, 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, DFII or VXUS?
DFII yields 21.96% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so DFII currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DFII?
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.