FPXE vs VXUS
First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FPXE or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | FPXE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.46% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 206 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +5.88% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.41% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.64% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.52% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.5% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,783 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 2, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 5, 2018 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.9 years).
FPXE 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 7.9 years both funds cover.
FPXE vs VXUS Performance
First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) 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 FPXE returned +6.41% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FPXE is up 5.88% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FPXE compounded at +17.64% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.52% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.07% annualized vs +8.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FPXE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 15.9% 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 -49.5% for FPXE and -35.1% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FPXE charges 0.70% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $5 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FPXE currently yields 1.46% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 57.7% of FPXE'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
46 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in FPXE and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 206 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FPXE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GALD:SMGalderma | 4.35% | 0.09% | 4.26% |
| RIO:LNRio Tinto Plc Ordinary Shares | 3.63% | 0.22% | 3.41% |
| SAVE:STNordnet | 3.65% | 0.02% | 3.63% |
| SDZ:SMSandoz Group Ag | 3.48% | 0.08% | 3.40% |
| TPRO:MITechnoprobe SpA | 3.34% | 0.01% | 3.33% |
| LTMC:MILottomatica Group Spa | 3.27% | 0.01% | 3.26% |
| BAMI:MIBanco Bpm Spa | 3.19% | 0.06% | 3.13% |
| HOTG:MUHochtief Ag | 2.68% | 0.02% | 2.66% |
| ACLN:SMAccelleron Industries Ag | 2.51% | 0.02% | 2.49% |
| EXENS:PAExosens Sas | 2.26% | 0.01% | 2.25% |
57.7% of FPXE 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FPXE or VXUS?
FPXE has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FPXE or VXUS?
Over the past year FPXE returned +6.41% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FPXE annualized +8.14% vs +9.07% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FPXE or VXUS?
FPXE has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 15.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FPXE -49.5% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both FPXE and VXUS?
FPXE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 FPXE and VXUS?
At least 57.7% of FPXE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 46 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in FPXE and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FPXE or VXUS?
FPXE yields 1.46% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FPXE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.