FLAG vs VXUS
Global X S&P 500 US Market Leaders Top 50 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLAG 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 | FLAG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.97% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 52 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -28.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $8,146 | $8,909Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 15, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1101 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FLAG has data through Sep 12, 2023 and VXUS through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 1, 2021 to Sep 12, 2023 (1.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 13.6% for FLAG. 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 FLAG and -28.9% 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 0.29. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLAG charges 0.29% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $5 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLAG currently yields 1.97% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in FLAG and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% 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 50 positions we hold weights for in FLAG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 52 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 50 and 8,082 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions FLAG does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLAG 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, FLAG or VXUS?
FLAG has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FLAG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 13.6% for FLAG. Worst drawdown: FLAG -43.9% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both FLAG and VXUS?
FLAG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.29, 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, FLAG or VXUS?
FLAG yields 1.97% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLAG?
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.