FLQL vs VXUS
Franklin US Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLQL or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLQL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | FLQL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.02% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 220 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.18% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.94% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.69%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.84%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,119Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 28, 2017 to Sep 17, 2026 (9.4 years).
FLQL 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 9.4 years both funds cover.
FLQL vs VXUS Performance
Franklin US Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF (FLQL) 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 FLQL returned +15.94% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, FLQL is up 12.18% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, FLQL compounded at +21.69% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.84% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, FLQL has the edge at +14.48% annualized vs +7.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 15.0% for FLQL. 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 -33.6% for FLQL 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLQL charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLQL currently yields 1.02% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of FLQL'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 214 positions we hold weights for in FLQL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 220 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLQL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLQL 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, FLQL or VXUS?
FLQL has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLQL or VXUS?
Over the past year FLQL returned +15.94% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLQL annualized +14.48% vs +7.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLQL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 15.0% for FLQL. Worst drawdown: FLQL -33.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FLQL and VXUS?
FLQL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, FLQL or VXUS?
FLQL yields 1.02% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLQL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLQL 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.