FLCH vs VXUS
Franklin FTSE China ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLCH or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth 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 | FLCH | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $337M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.33% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 1,051 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -11.22% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.78% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.75% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.24% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.9% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,482 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | 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).
FLCH 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.
FLCH vs VXUS Performance
Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH) 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 FLCH returned -6.78% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FLCH is down 11.22% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FLCH compounded at +9.75% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.24% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.27% annualized vs -0.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLCH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.9% 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 -62.1% for FLCH 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLCH charges 0.19% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $5 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLCH currently yields 2.33% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 60.8% of FLCH'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.
628 positions in common, counted across the 862 positions we hold weights for in FLCH and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 1,051 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLCH | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700:HKTencent Holding Ltd | 13.01% | 0.77% | 12.24% |
| 601398:SHIndustrial & Commercial Bank Of China Ltd | 2.48% | 0.15% | 2.33% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 2.35% | 0.13% | 2.22% |
| 3690:SHMeituan-class B | 2.18% | 0.11% | 2.07% |
| 2318:HKPing An Insurance (group) Co. Of China Ltd Class H | 1.60% | 0.09% | 1.51% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd. | 1.54% | 0.10% | 1.44% |
| 9961:KYTrip.Com Group Limited | 0.95% | 0.05% | 0.90% |
| 2628:HKChina Life Insurance Co. Ltd. H | 0.90% | 0.06% | 0.84% |
| 3968:HKChina Merchants Bank Ltd. H | 0.80% | 0.05% | 0.75% |
| 6160:HKBeigene Ag | 0.67% | 0.04% | 0.63% |
60.8% of FLCH 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, FLCH or VXUS?
FLCH has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLCH or VXUS?
Over the past year FLCH returned -6.78% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLCH annualized -0.27% vs +7.27% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLCH or VXUS?
FLCH has been the more volatile fund at 24.9% annualized versus 15.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FLCH -62.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FLCH and VXUS?
FLCH and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 FLCH and VXUS?
At least 60.8% of FLCH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 628 positions in common, counted across the 862 positions we hold weights for in FLCH and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLCH or VXUS?
FLCH yields 2.33% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLCH?
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.