FFIU vs VXUS

FFIU vs VXUS

Which is better, FFIU or VXUS?

Short Term High Quality against Large Cap Blend.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: VXUS

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

MetricFFIUVXUS
Expense Ratio0.54%0.05%Best
AUM$52M$158.1B
Dividend Yield4.14%2.51%
Holdings1328,747
YTD Return-1.74%+12.82%Best
1Y Return-1.53%+19.86%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+3.45%+19.33%Best
5Y Return (annualized)-1.26%+9.46%Best
Volatility (annualized)6.3%Best15.6%
Max Drawdown-20.4%Best-39.9%
$10,000 over 5 years$9,386$15,714Best
Fund FamilySpinnaker ETF SeriesVanguard (US)
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
StyleShort Term High QualityLarge Cap Blend
InceptionAug 18, 2017Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2017 to Sep 18, 2026 (9.1 years).

FFIU 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 9.1 years both funds cover.

FFIU vs VXUS Performance

Fieldstone UVA Unconstrained Medium-Term Fixed Income ETF (FFIU) is an ETF from Spinnaker ETF Series and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FFIU returned -1.53% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, FFIU is down 1.74% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.

Over three years, FFIU compounded at +3.45% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.26% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.37% annualized vs +0.17%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 6.3% for FFIU. 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 -20.4% for FFIU 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

FFIU charges 0.54% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $5 annually, a gap of $49 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFIU currently yields 4.14% against 2.51% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 118 holdings in FFIU and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 82.2% and 88.8% 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 118 positions we hold weights for in FFIU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 132 and 8,747.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of FFIU and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

FFIUVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, FFIU or VXUS?

FFIU has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $49 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, FFIU or VXUS?

Over the past year FFIU returned -1.53% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FFIU annualized +0.17% vs +7.37% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, FFIU or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 6.3% for FFIU. Worst drawdown: FFIU -20.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.

Should I hold both FFIU and VXUS?

FFIU 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, FFIU or VXUS?

FFIU yields 4.14% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FFIU currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than FFIU?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.