FNDA vs VXUS
Schwab Fundamental US Small Company ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FNDA or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FNDA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 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 | FNDA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $9.0B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 918 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.98%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +13.52% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.56% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.18% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,816 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 15, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 15, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.1 years).
FNDA 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 13.1 years both funds cover.
FNDA vs VXUS Performance
Schwab Fundamental US Small Company ETF (FNDA) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FNDA returned +13.52% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, FNDA is up 12.98% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, FNDA compounded at +14.56% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.18% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, FNDA has the edge at +9.12% annualized vs +5.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNDA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 14.5% 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 -45.9% for FNDA 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNDA charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNDA currently yields 1.12% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of FNDA'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.
7 positions in common, counted across the 913 positions we hold weights for in FNDA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 918 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FNDA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.16% | 0.01% | 0.15% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.13% | 0.00% | 0.13% |
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.12% | 0.00% | 0.12% |
| SCLStepan Co | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.11% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| CLWClearwater Paper Corp | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| CASHMeta Financial Group Inc | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FNDA 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, FNDA or VXUS?
FNDA has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNDA or VXUS?
Over the past year FNDA returned +13.52% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FNDA annualized +9.12% vs +5.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNDA or VXUS?
FNDA has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FNDA -45.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FNDA and VXUS?
FNDA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, FNDA or VXUS?
FNDA yields 1.12% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FNDA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FNDA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.