FLEU vs VXUS

FLEU vs VXUS

Which is better, FLEU or VXUS?

Each has led over a different period.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLEU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: split

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

MetricFLEUVXUS
Expense Ratio0.09%0.05%Best
AUM$72M$158.1B
Dividend Yield2.63%2.51%
Holdings2658,747
YTD Return+6.69%+12.44%Best
1Y Return+14.27%+20.21%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+20.46%Best+19.97%
5Y Return (annualized)+11.89%Best+8.99%
Volatility (annualized)15.7%Best15.8%
Max Drawdown-35.6%Best-39.9%
$10,000 over 5 years$17,537Best$15,379
Fund FamilyFranklin Templeton Investments (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionNov 2, 2017Jan 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 24, 2026 (8.9 years).

FLEU 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 8.9 years both funds cover.

FLEU vs VXUS Performance

Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF (FLEU) 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 FLEU returned +14.27% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, FLEU is up 6.69% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.

Over three years, FLEU compounded at +20.46% per year against +19.97% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.89% and +8.99% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, FLEU has the edge at +7.93% annualized vs +6.84%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 15.7% for FLEU. 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 -35.6% for FLEU 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

FLEU 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, FLEU currently yields 2.63% against 2.51% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

FLEU already in VXUS53.8%

At least 53.8% of FLEU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.

152 positions in common, counted across the 258 positions we hold weights for in FLEU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 265 and 8,747.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in FLEUWeight in VXUSDifference
SIE:SGSiemens Ag3.05%0.54%2.51%
SU:PASchneider Electric2.33%0.41%1.92%
FP:PATotal Se2.12%0.38%1.74%
BBVA:MABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argenta2.05%0.35%1.70%
IBE:MAIberdrola S.A.2.01%0.37%1.64%
UCG:MIUnicredit Spa1.85%0.32%1.53%
SAF:PASafran Sa1.69%0.30%1.39%
LVMH:PALvmh Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Se1.63%0.30%1.33%
ISP:MIIntesa Sanpaolo SpA Shs1.51%0.26%1.25%
BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa1.46%0.28%1.18%

53.8% of FLEU 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.

FLEUVXUS

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, FLEU or VXUS?

FLEU 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, FLEU or VXUS?

Over the past year FLEU returned +14.27% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLEU annualized +7.93% vs +6.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, FLEU or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 15.7% for FLEU. Worst drawdown: FLEU -35.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.

Should I hold both FLEU and VXUS?

FLEU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 FLEU and VXUS?

At least 53.8% of FLEU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 152 positions in common, counted across the 258 positions we hold weights for in FLEU and 8,082 in VXUS.

Which pays a higher dividend, FLEU or VXUS?

FLEU yields 2.63% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FLEU currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than FLEU?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLEU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.