FMTM vs VXUS
MarketDesk Focused US Momentum ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FMTM or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FMTM 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 | FMTM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $277M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.25% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 52 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +17.67%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +40.39%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -15.4% | -12.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $15,680Best | $14,516 |
| Fund Family | MarketDesk Indices | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 20, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 20, 2025 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.5 years).
FMTM 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
FMTM vs VXUS Performance
MarketDesk Focused US Momentum ETF (FMTM) is an ETF from MarketDesk Indices and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FMTM returned +40.39% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FMTM is up 17.67% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FMTM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 12.0% 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 -15.4% for FMTM and -12.9% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMTM charges 0.45% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $5 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMTM currently yields 0.25% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 31 holdings in FMTM and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% and 87.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, FMTM as of Aug 17, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in FMTM and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 52 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMTM 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, FMTM or VXUS?
FMTM has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FMTM or VXUS?
Over the past year FMTM returned +40.39% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so FMTM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FMTM annualized +34.97% vs +28.20% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FMTM or VXUS?
FMTM has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 12.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FMTM -15.4% vs VXUS -12.9%.
Should I hold both FMTM and VXUS?
FMTM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, FMTM or VXUS?
FMTM yields 0.25% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FMTM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FMTM 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.