FDM vs VXUS
First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FDM or VXUS?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDM 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 | FDM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $268M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 294 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.51%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +25.21% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.08% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.06%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,896Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 27, 2005 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
FDM 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.
FDM vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) 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 FDM returned +25.21% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FDM is up 19.51% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FDM compounded at +20.08% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.06% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FDM has the edge at +10.39% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% 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 -48.9% for FDM 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDM charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDM currently yields 1.36% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 146 holdings in FDM and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 87.5% 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 146 positions we hold weights for in FDM and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 294 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDM 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, FDM or VXUS?
FDM has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDM or VXUS?
Over the past year FDM returned +25.21% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FDM annualized +10.39% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDM or VXUS?
FDM has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FDM -48.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FDM and VXUS?
FDM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, FDM or VXUS?
FDM yields 1.36% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FDM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDM 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.