FJP vs VXUS
First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FJP or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FJP led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | FJP | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $260M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.58% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 204 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +17.02%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +23.54% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.99% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.52%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,489Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.4 years).
FJP 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
FJP vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FJP) 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 FJP returned +23.54% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FJP is up 17.02% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FJP compounded at +18.99% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.52% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FJP has the edge at +5.22% annualized vs +4.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 15.0% for FJP. 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 -43.9% for FJP 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FJP charges 0.80% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $5 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FJP currently yields 2.58% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.0% of FJP'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.
63 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FJP and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 204 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FJP | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9104:JPMitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. Shs New | 1.93% | 0.02% | 1.91% |
| 9101:JPNippon Yusen Kk /JPY/ | 1.88% | 0.03% | 1.85% |
| 9022:JPCentral Japan Railway Co. Com Stk | 1.86% | 0.04% | 1.82% |
| 8750:JPDai-ichi Life Insurance Co Ltd | 1.82% | 0.08% | 1.74% |
| 9107:JPKawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. Com Stk | 1.84% | 0.01% | 1.83% |
| 9201:JPJapan Airlines Co Ltd | 1.80% | 0.01% | 1.79% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 1.41% | 0.33% | 1.08% |
| 7259:JPAisin Corp. | 1.70% | 0.01% | 1.69% |
| 5016:JPJx Advanced Metals Corp Common Stock | 1.67% | 0.03% | 1.64% |
| 9531:JPTokyo Gas Co Ltd | 1.64% | 0.03% | 1.61% |
66.0% of FJP 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, FJP or VXUS?
FJP has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FJP or VXUS?
Over the past year FJP returned +23.54% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FJP annualized +5.22% vs +4.55% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FJP or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 15.0% for FJP. Worst drawdown: FJP -43.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FJP and VXUS?
FJP and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FJP and VXUS?
At least 66.0% of FJP's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 63 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FJP and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FJP or VXUS?
FJP yields 2.58% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FJP?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FJP led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.