FLCA vs VXUS
Franklin FTSE Canada ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLCA or VXUS?
FLCA has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLCA 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 | FLCA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $863M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.74% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 90 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.13% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +27.93%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.06%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.20%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,588Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (8.8 years).
FLCA 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 8.8 years both funds cover.
FLCA vs VXUS Performance
Franklin FTSE Canada ETF (FLCA) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FLCA returned +27.93% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FLCA is up 15.13% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FLCA compounded at +24.06% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.20% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, FLCA has the edge at +10.91% annualized vs +7.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLCA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 15.7% 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 -41.5% for FLCA 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLCA charges 0.09% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $5 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLCA currently yields 1.74% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 96.5% of FLCA'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.
Most of FLCA is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
79 positions in common, counted across the 86 positions we hold weights for in FLCA and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 90 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLCA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 9.26% | 0.64% | 8.62% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 6.33% | 0.45% | 5.88% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc. Cl A | 4.79% | 0.31% | 4.48% |
| BMO:CABank Of Montreal | 4.04% | 0.28% | 3.76% |
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | 3.70% | 0.26% | 3.44% |
| CM:CACanadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 3.44% | 0.23% | 3.21% |
| BNS:CABank Of Nova Scotia/The Common Stock | 3.41% | 0.24% | 3.17% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 2.99% | 0.18% | 2.81% |
| BN:CABrookfield Corp | 2.96% | 0.20% | 2.76% |
| CP:CACanadian Pac Kans City Ltd Npv | 2.55% | 0.17% | 2.38% |
96.5% of FLCA 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FLCA or VXUS?
FLCA has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLCA or VXUS?
Over the past year FLCA returned +27.93% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so FLCA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLCA annualized +10.91% vs +7.27% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLCA or VXUS?
FLCA has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 15.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FLCA -41.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FLCA and VXUS?
FLCA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FLCA and VXUS?
At least 96.5% of FLCA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 79 positions in common, counted across the 86 positions we hold weights for in FLCA and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLCA or VXUS?
FLCA yields 1.74% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLCA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLCA 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.