FLSW vs VXUS
Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLSW or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLSW led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | FLSW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $94M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 199 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +9.41% | +9.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.81%Best | +13.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.33% | +19.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.38% | +8.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Tie | 15.7%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -28.2%Best | -37.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,276 | $14,809Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 6, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2018 to Nov 11, 2026 (8.8 years).
FLSW 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.
FLSW vs VXUS Performance
Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF (FLSW) 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 FLSW returned +14.81% while VXUS returned +13.33%. Year to date, FLSW is up 9.41% versus a gain of 9.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, FLSW compounded at +17.33% per year against +19.29% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.38% and +8.17% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, FLSW has the edge at +9.06% annualized vs +6.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLSW and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 15.7% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -28.2% for FLSW and -37.2% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLSW 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, FLSW currently yields 2.23% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 88.8% of FLSW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of FLSW is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
115 positions in common, counted across the 137 positions we hold weights for in FLSW and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 199 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLSW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:TWTsmc | 20.02% | 4.24% | 15.78% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 8.57% | 0.50% | 8.07% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 4.40% | 0.25% | 4.15% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co | 4.09% | 0.21% | 3.88% |
| 3711:TWASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | 3.12% | 0.16% | 2.96% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 2.08% | 0.10% | 1.98% |
| 3037:TWUnimicron Technology Corp | 1.98% | 0.11% | 1.87% |
| 2881:TWFubon Financial Holding Co Ltd | 1.86% | 0.09% | 1.77% |
| 2891:TWCtbc Financial Holding Co Ltd Ord Twd10 | 1.80% | 0.08% | 1.72% |
| 2882:TWCathay Financial Holding Co Ltd | 1.51% | 0.07% | 1.44% |
88.8% of FLSW 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, FLSW or VXUS?
FLSW 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, FLSW or VXUS?
Over the past year FLSW returned +14.81% vs +13.33% for VXUS, so FLSW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLSW annualized +9.06% vs +6.89% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLSW or VXUS?
FLSW and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 15.7% annualized. Worst drawdown: FLSW -28.2% vs VXUS -37.2%.
Should I hold both FLSW and VXUS?
FLSW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FLSW and VXUS?
At least 88.8% of FLSW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 115 positions in common, counted across the 137 positions we hold weights for in FLSW and 8,463 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLSW or VXUS?
FLSW yields 2.23% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLSW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLSW led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.