FLEE vs VXUS
Franklin FTSE Europe ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLEE or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLEE led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | FLEE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $121M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.10% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 505 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.97% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.90% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.80% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.51%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,750Best | $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).
FLEE 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.
FLEE vs VXUS Performance
Franklin FTSE Europe ETF (FLEE) 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 FLEE returned +20.90% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FLEE is up 9.97% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FLEE compounded at +18.80% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.51% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, FLEE has the edge at +7.63% annualized vs +7.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLEE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% 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 -41.1% for FLEE 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLEE 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, FLEE currently yields 3.10% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.1% of FLEE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% 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.
312 positions in common, counted across the 488 positions we hold weights for in FLEE and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 505 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLEE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv Unsponsored Adr Ordinary Shares | 4.34% | 1.70% | 2.64% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 2.43% | 0.72% | 1.71% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.91% | 0.65% | 1.26% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.70% | 0.59% | 1.11% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 1.57% | 0.62% | 0.95% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 1.61% | 0.52% | 1.09% |
| SAP:SGSap Se | 1.32% | 0.35% | 0.97% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag - Common | 1.11% | 0.34% | 0.77% |
| TTE:PATotal Energies Se | 1.09% | 0.33% | 0.76% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd.[Abbn] | 1.04% | 0.37% | 0.67% |
66.1% of FLEE 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, FLEE or VXUS?
FLEE 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, FLEE or VXUS?
Over the past year FLEE returned +20.90% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLEE annualized +7.63% vs +7.27% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLEE or VXUS?
FLEE has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 15.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FLEE -41.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FLEE and VXUS?
FLEE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FLEE and VXUS?
At least 66.1% of FLEE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 312 positions in common, counted across the 488 positions we hold weights for in FLEE and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLEE or VXUS?
FLEE yields 3.10% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so FLEE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLEE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLEE led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.