FAS vs VXUS
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FAS or VXUS?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FAS 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 | FAS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.82% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 88 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -4.01% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.81% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +38.24%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.75%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 52.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,923Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2008 | 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).
FAS 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FAS vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF (FAS) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FAS returned -1.81% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, FAS is down 4.01% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, FAS compounded at +38.24% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.75% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FAS has the edge at +19.30% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 52.2% 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 -86.0% for FAS 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FAS charges 0.88% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $5 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FAS currently yields 7.82% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of FAS'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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in FAS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 88 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FAS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.29% | 0.05% | 0.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FAS 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, FAS or VXUS?
FAS has an expense ratio of 0.88% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FAS or VXUS?
Over the past year FAS returned -1.81% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FAS annualized +19.30% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FAS or VXUS?
FAS has been the more volatile fund at 52.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FAS -86.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FAS and VXUS?
FAS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, FAS or VXUS?
FAS yields 7.82% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FAS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FAS 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.