FLHK vs VXUS
Franklin FTSE Hong Kong ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLHK or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
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 | FLHK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.33% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 72 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.1% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 7.6 years | $9,700 | $14,085Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2017 | 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 430 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FLHK has data through Jul 1, 2025 and VXUS through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 7.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 8, 2017 to Jul 1, 2025 (7.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLHK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.1% compared with 16.0% 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 -47.0% for FLHK 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLHK 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, FLHK currently yields 4.33% against 2.59% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLHK 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, FLHK or VXUS?
FLHK 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 is riskier, FLHK or VXUS?
FLHK has been the more volatile fund at 26.1% annualized versus 16.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FLHK -47.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FLHK and VXUS?
FLHK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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, FLHK or VXUS?
FLHK yields 4.33% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so FLHK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLHK?
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.