FCTE vs VXUS
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FCTE or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
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 | FCTE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $240M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.08% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 21 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.74% | +15.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.42% | +27.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.96% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,681 | $15,505Best |
| Fund Family | 3FourteenSMI | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 2, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2024 to Sep 3, 2026 (2.2 years).
FCTE 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
FCTE vs VXUS Performance
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) is an ETF from 3FourteenSMI and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FCTE returned +10.42% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, FCTE is up 13.74% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCTE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 11.5% 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 -19.7% for FCTE and -13.6% 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCTE charges 0.85% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $5 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCTE currently yields 0.08% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 20 holdings in FCTE and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, FCTE as of Aug 17, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in FCTE and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 21 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FCTE 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, FCTE or VXUS?
FCTE has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCTE or VXUS?
Over the past year FCTE returned +10.42% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FCTE annualized +7.32% vs +22.06% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCTE or VXUS?
FCTE has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 11.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FCTE -19.7% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both FCTE and VXUS?
FCTE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, FCTE or VXUS?
FCTE yields 0.08% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FCTE?
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.