DRGN vs VXUS
Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DRGN 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 | DRGN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.46% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 51 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | -15.88% | +8.79%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.47% | +12.87%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.94% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.5% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,966 | $12,353Best |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2025 to Nov 10, 2026 (1.3 years).
DRGN 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
DRGN vs VXUS Performance
Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (DRGN) is an ETF from Themes ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DRGN returned -17.47% while VXUS returned +12.87%. Year to date, DRGN is down 15.88% versus a gain of 8.79% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DRGN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.5% compared with 13.4% 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 -34.3% for DRGN 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DRGN charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DRGN currently yields 1.46% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 71.4% of DRGN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% 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 DRGN is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
15 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in DRGN and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 51 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DRGN | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 688008:SHMontage Technology Co Ltd-A | 6.88% | 0.00% | 6.88% |
| 9888:HKBaidu, Inc. Class A Ordinary Shares - Cl A | 6.16% | 0.05% | 6.11% |
| 688041:SHHygon Information Technology Ltd A | 6.14% | 0.01% | 6.13% |
| 3888:HKKingsoft Corp Ltd | 5.79% | 0.01% | 5.78% |
| 601138:SHFoxconn Industrial Internet Co | 5.69% | 0.01% | 5.68% |
| 601360:SH360 Security Technology Inc | 5.65% | 0.00% | 5.65% |
| 688498:SHYuanjie Semico-A | 5.51% | 0.00% | 5.51% |
| 002230:KRIflytek Co Ltd | 5.30% | 0.00% | 5.30% |
| 002236:SHZhejiang Dahua Technology Co Ltd | 5.30% | 0.00% | 5.30% |
| 1024:HKKuaishou Technology | 5.04% | 0.03% | 5.01% |
71.4% of DRGN 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, DRGN or VXUS?
DRGN has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DRGN or VXUS?
Over the past year DRGN returned -17.47% vs +12.87% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), DRGN annualized +7.35% vs +17.65% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DRGN or VXUS?
DRGN has been the more volatile fund at 37.5% annualized versus 13.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DRGN -34.3% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both DRGN and VXUS?
DRGN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 DRGN and VXUS?
At least 71.4% of DRGN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in DRGN and 8,463 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DRGN or VXUS?
DRGN yields 1.46% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DRGN?
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.