FDLO vs VXUS
Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FDLO or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDLO 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 | FDLO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.34% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 129 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.80% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.27% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.02% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.65%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,851Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 15, 2016 to Sep 18, 2026 (10 years).
FDLO 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 10 years both funds cover.
FDLO vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDLO returned +10.27% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, FDLO is up 7.80% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, FDLO compounded at +14.02% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.65% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FDLO has the edge at +11.88% annualized vs +8.13%.
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 FDLO. 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 -34.7% for FDLO 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
FDLO charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDLO currently yields 1.34% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of FDLO'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 131 positions we hold weights for in FDLO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 129 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDLO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMRZ:SMAmrize Ag | 0.14% | 0.06% | 0.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDLO 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, FDLO or VXUS?
FDLO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDLO or VXUS?
Over the past year FDLO returned +10.27% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FDLO annualized +11.88% vs +8.13% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDLO or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.4% for FDLO. Worst drawdown: FDLO -34.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FDLO and VXUS?
FDLO 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDLO or VXUS?
FDLO yields 1.34% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FDLO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDLO 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.