FID vs VXUS
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FID or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FID led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | FID | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $172M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.95% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 165 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.85%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +19.64% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.85% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.12%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.8% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,193Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 23, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2018 to Sep 18, 2026 (8.1 years).
FID 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 8.1 years both funds cover.
FID vs VXUS Performance
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) 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 FID returned +19.64% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, FID is up 12.85% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, FID compounded at +18.85% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.12% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.88% annualized vs +6.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FID has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 16.1% 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 -39.8% for FID and -35.1% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FID 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, FID currently yields 3.95% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 64.3% of FID'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
47 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in FID and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 165 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FID | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 078930:KRGs Holdings Corp | 2.81% | 0.01% | 2.80% |
| LGEN:LNLegal & General Group PLC Ord Gbp0.025 | 2.37% | 0.05% | 2.32% |
| APA:AUApa Group | 2.16% | 0.02% | 2.14% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 1.83% | 0.22% | 1.61% |
| DNB:OSDnb Bank Asa | 1.89% | 0.06% | 1.83% |
| PBAPembina Pipeline Corp Cum Red Pfd Shs -A- Series -9 | 1.76% | 0.06% | 1.70% |
| KEY:CAKeyera Corp | 1.75% | 0.02% | 1.73% |
| SDR:LNSchroders Plc | 1.75% | 0.01% | 1.74% |
| 3360:TKShip Healthcare Holdings Inc | 1.74% | 0.00% | 1.74% |
| NESN:SMNestl? Sa | 1.07% | 0.58% | 0.49% |
64.3% of FID 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, FID or VXUS?
FID 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, FID or VXUS?
Over the past year FID returned +19.64% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FID annualized +6.39% vs +7.88% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FID or VXUS?
FID has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 16.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FID -39.8% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both FID and VXUS?
FID and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 FID and VXUS?
At least 64.3% of FID's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in FID and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FID or VXUS?
FID yields 3.95% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FID currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FID?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FID led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.