FIXD vs VXUS
First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FIXD or VXUS?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | FIXD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.80% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 889 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.78% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.65% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.76% | +19.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.22% | +8.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,405 | $15,099Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2017 to Sep 15, 2026 (9.6 years).
FIXD 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 9.6 years both funds cover.
FIXD vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) 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 FIXD returned -1.65% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, FIXD is down 1.78% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, FIXD compounded at +3.76% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.22% and +8.59% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.91% annualized vs +0.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 5.7% for FIXD. 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 -21.8% for FIXD 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FIXD charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FIXD currently yields 4.80% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 250 holdings in FIXD and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 44.3% 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 250 positions we hold weights for in FIXD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 889 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FIXD 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, FIXD or VXUS?
FIXD has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FIXD or VXUS?
Over the past year FIXD returned -1.65% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FIXD annualized +0.32% vs +7.91% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FIXD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 5.7% for FIXD. Worst drawdown: FIXD -21.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FIXD and VXUS?
FIXD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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, FIXD or VXUS?
FIXD yields 4.80% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FIXD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FIXD?
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.