FAB vs VXUS
First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FAB or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FAB led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 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 | FAB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $191M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,350 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.15%Best | +12.21% |
| 1Y Return | +20.79%Best | +19.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.24% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.90%Best | +8.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,032Best | $15,127 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | 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 16, 2026 (15.6 years).
FAB 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.
FAB vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) 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 FAB returned +20.79% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, FAB is up 16.15% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, FAB compounded at +15.24% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.90% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FAB has the edge at +9.16% annualized vs +4.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% 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 -47.8% for FAB 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FAB charges 0.66% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $5 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FAB currently yields 1.51% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.2% of FAB'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.
FAB and VXUS share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 657 positions we hold weights for in FAB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,350 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FAB | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.31% | 0.76% | 0.45% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.37% | 0.02% | 0.35% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.23% | 0.05% | 0.18% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.09% | 0.02% | 0.07% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.09% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| SCLStepan Co | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FAB 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, FAB or VXUS?
FAB has an expense ratio of 0.66% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FAB or VXUS?
Over the past year FAB returned +20.79% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so FAB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FAB annualized +9.16% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FAB or VXUS?
FAB has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FAB -47.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FAB and VXUS?
FAB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 FAB and VXUS?
At least 1.2% of FAB's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 657 positions we hold weights for in FAB and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FAB or VXUS?
FAB yields 1.51% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FAB?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FAB led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.