FBDC vs VXUS
FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FBDC or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | FBDC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 12.44% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $35M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.39% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 42 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.14% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.82% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.6% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $9,590 | $13,229Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 30, 2025 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.2 years).
FBDC 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
FBDC vs VXUS Performance
FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC) 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 FBDC returned -6.82% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FBDC is down 2.14% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FBDC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 12.8% 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 -20.6% for FBDC and -11.3% 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 -0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FBDC charges 12.44% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $1244 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1239 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FBDC currently yields 13.39% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 20 holdings in FBDC and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 95.0% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in FBDC and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 42 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FBDC 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, FBDC or VXUS?
FBDC has an expense ratio of 12.44% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $1239 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FBDC or VXUS?
Over the past year FBDC returned -6.82% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FBDC annualized -3.43% vs +26.26% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FBDC or VXUS?
FBDC has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 12.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FBDC -20.6% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both FBDC and VXUS?
FBDC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.12, 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, FBDC or VXUS?
FBDC yields 13.39% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so FBDC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FBDC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.