FPA vs VXUS
First Trust Asia Pacific Ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FPA or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FPA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | FPA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $114M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.88% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 212 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +35.65%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +45.48%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.50%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.41%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.1% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,948Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 20, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.4 years).
FPA 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
FPA vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Asia Pacific Ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FPA returned +45.48% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FPA is up 35.65% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FPA compounded at +28.50% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.41% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FPA has the edge at +4.81% annualized vs +4.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FPA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.1% compared with 15.1% 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 -55.8% for FPA 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FPA charges 0.80% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $5 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FPA currently yields 3.88% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 70.5% of FPA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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 FPA is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
68 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FPA and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 212 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FPA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd | 5.05% | 0.18% | 4.87% |
| 012330:KRHyundai Mobis Co Ltd | 2.02% | 0.04% | 1.98% |
| 1888:HKKingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd | 2.03% | 0.03% | 2.00% |
| 006260:KRLs Corp | 1.95% | 0.01% | 1.94% |
| 148:HKKingboard Holdings Ltd | 1.93% | 0.02% | 1.91% |
| 011070:KRLg Innotek Co Ltd Common | 1.87% | 0.02% | 1.85% |
| 298040:KRHyosung Heavy Industries Corp | 1.85% | 0.03% | 1.82% |
| 010120:KRLs Electric Co., Ltd. Shs | 1.79% | 0.03% | 1.76% |
| 032830:KRSamsung Life Insurance | 1.70% | 0.05% | 1.65% |
| 034730:KRSk Inc | 1.70% | 0.04% | 1.66% |
70.5% of FPA 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, FPA or VXUS?
FPA has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FPA or VXUS?
Over the past year FPA returned +45.48% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so FPA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FPA annualized +4.81% vs +4.62% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FPA or VXUS?
FPA has been the more volatile fund at 22.1% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FPA -55.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FPA and VXUS?
FPA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FPA and VXUS?
At least 70.5% of FPA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 68 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FPA and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FPA or VXUS?
FPA yields 3.88% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so FPA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FPA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FPA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.