FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF (EIPX) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EIPX returned +28.64% while VXUS returned +27.82%. Year to date, EIPX is up 21.58% versus a gain of 14.57% for VXUS.

Over three years, EIPX compounded at +19.09% per year against +19.27% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, EIPX has the edge at +17.30% annualized vs +4.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 13.1% for EIPX. 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 -15.4% for EIPX and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.36. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

EIPX charges 0.95% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $5 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EIPX currently yields 2.72% against 2.60% for VXUS.