ECF vs VXUS
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ECF or VXUS?
Convertibles against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ECF led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | ECF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.16% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $220M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 99 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.13% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.36% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.04% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.37% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,802 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 30, 1986 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
ECF 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
ECF vs VXUS Performance
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ECF returned +5.36% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, ECF is up 4.13% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, ECF compounded at +19.04% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.37% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, ECF has the edge at +9.38% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ECF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 15.0% 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 -47.3% for ECF 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ECF charges 1.16% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $116 vs $5 annually, a gap of $111 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ECF currently yields 3.82% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 43 holdings in ECF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 63.6% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, ECF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in ECF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 99 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ECF 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, ECF or VXUS?
ECF has an expense ratio of 1.16% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $111 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ECF or VXUS?
Over the past year ECF returned +5.36% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ECF annualized +9.38% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ECF or VXUS?
ECF has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ECF -47.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ECF and VXUS?
ECF 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, ECF or VXUS?
ECF yields 3.82% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so ECF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ECF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ECF led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.