EQL vs VXUS
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EQL or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EQL led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | EQL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $761M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.34% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 12 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.87% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.81% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.49% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.88%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,760Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2009 | 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
EQL 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.
EQL vs VXUS Performance
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EQL returned +12.81% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, EQL is up 9.87% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, EQL compounded at +15.49% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.88% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EQL has the edge at +10.47% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 13.4% for EQL. 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 -36.4% for EQL 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQL charges 0.19% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $5 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQL currently yields 1.34% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.6% of EQL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
5 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in EQL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 12 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EQL 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, EQL or VXUS?
EQL has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQL or VXUS?
Over the past year EQL returned +12.81% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EQL annualized +10.47% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.4% for EQL. Worst drawdown: EQL -36.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EQL and VXUS?
EQL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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, EQL or VXUS?
EQL yields 1.34% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EQL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EQL led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.