FGSI vs VXUS
FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FGSI or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | FGSI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.14% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 104 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.53% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.5%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.6%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,020 | $12,916Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.2 years).
FGSI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
FGSI vs VXUS Performance
FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) 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 FGSI returned +4.53% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, FGSI is up 6.41% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 9.5% for FGSI. 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 -8.6% for FGSI and -11.3% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGSI 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, FGSI currently yields 8.14% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in FGSI and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 99.4% 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 63 days apart, FGSI as of Sep 1, 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 50 positions we hold weights for in FGSI and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 104 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGSI 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, FGSI or VXUS?
FGSI 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, FGSI or VXUS?
Over the past year FGSI returned +4.53% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FGSI annualized +8.43% vs +23.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGSI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 9.5% for FGSI. Worst drawdown: FGSI -8.6% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both FGSI and VXUS?
FGSI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, FGSI or VXUS?
FGSI yields 8.14% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FGSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FGSI?
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.