EMLP vs VXUS
First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EMLP or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMLP led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | EMLP | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.76% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 116 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +17.09%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +20.56% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.40%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.23%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,212Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 21, 2012 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.2 years).
EMLP 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 14.2 years both funds cover.
EMLP vs VXUS Performance
First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) 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 EMLP returned +20.56% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, EMLP is up 17.09% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, EMLP compounded at +21.40% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +16.23% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, EMLP has the edge at +7.21% annualized vs +6.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMLP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.2% 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 -48.0% for EMLP 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMLP 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, EMLP currently yields 2.76% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 56 holdings in EMLP and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 90.4% and 87.7% 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, 4 positions appear in both.
4 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in EMLP and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 116 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMLP 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, EMLP or VXUS?
EMLP has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMLP or VXUS?
Over the past year EMLP returned +20.56% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), EMLP annualized +7.21% vs +6.85% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMLP or VXUS?
EMLP has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EMLP -48.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EMLP and VXUS?
EMLP and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, EMLP or VXUS?
EMLP yields 2.76% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so EMLP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EMLP?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMLP led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.