FGD vs VXUS
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FGD or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | FGD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.04% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 212 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.88%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +31.63%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.96%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.14%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,539Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 21, 2007 | 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).
FGD 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.
FGD vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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 FGD returned +31.63% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FGD is up 19.88% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FGD compounded at +25.96% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.14% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +4.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% 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 -53.3% for FGD 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGD charges 0.55% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $5 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGD currently yields 5.04% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 53.0% of FGD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
53 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 212 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FGD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 017800:KRHyundai Elevator Ltd | 1.86% | 0.00% | 1.86% |
| BAMI:MIBanco Bpm Spa | 1.73% | 0.06% | 1.67% |
| TEP:PATeleperformance Se | 1.55% | 0.01% | 1.54% |
| LGEN:LNLegal & General Group PLC Ord Gbp0.025 | 1.50% | 0.05% | 1.45% |
| PHNX:LNPhoenix Group Holdings plc Ord Gbp0.10 | 1.48% | 0.01% | 1.47% |
| BME:LNB&M European Value Retail Plc | 1.43% | 0.01% | 1.42% |
| UNI:MAUnicaja Banco Sa | 1.37% | 0.02% | 1.35% |
| TEF:MATelefonica, S.a. | 1.35% | 0.03% | 1.32% |
| ABDN:LNAbrdn Plc | 1.34% | 0.01% | 1.33% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 1.10% | 0.25% | 0.85% |
53.0% of FGD is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FGD or VXUS?
FGD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGD or VXUS?
Over the past year FGD returned +31.63% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so FGD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FGD annualized +4.76% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGD or VXUS?
FGD has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FGD -53.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FGD and VXUS?
FGD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FGD and VXUS?
At least 53.0% of FGD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 53 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGD or VXUS?
FGD yields 5.04% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so FGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FGD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.