FPXI vs VXUS
First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FPXI or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FPXI led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y 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 | FPXI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $295M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 63 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +18.24%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +21.78% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.83%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.07% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,547 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 4, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 7, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.8 years).
FPXI 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 11.8 years both funds cover.
FPXI vs VXUS Performance
First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXI) 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 FPXI returned +21.78% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FPXI is up 18.24% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FPXI compounded at +21.83% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.07% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, FPXI has the edge at +8.00% annualized vs +6.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FPXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 14.8% 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 FPXI 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FPXI 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, FPXI currently yields 0.67% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 57.4% of FPXI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% 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.
33 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FPXI and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 63 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FPXI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 11.56% | 0.33% | 11.23% |
| 285A:JPKioxia Holdings Corporation | 6.06% | 0.43% | 5.63% |
| SDZ:SMSandoz Group Ag | 2.99% | 0.08% | 2.91% |
| CXSE3:BVCaixa Seguridade Participacoes S/A | 3.01% | 0.00% | 3.01% |
| HOT:DBHochtief Aktiengesellschaft | 2.56% | 0.02% | 2.54% |
| 2327:TWYageo Corp | 2.13% | 0.13% | 2.00% |
| GALD:SMGalderma Group Ag - Common | 2.12% | 0.09% | 2.03% |
| UCB:BRUcb Sa | 2.08% | 0.08% | 2.00% |
| TPRO:MITechnoprobe Spa NPV | 1.87% | 0.01% | 1.86% |
| 329180:KRHyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. | 1.73% | 0.03% | 1.70% |
57.4% of FPXI 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, FPXI or VXUS?
FPXI 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, FPXI or VXUS?
Over the past year FPXI returned +21.78% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FPXI annualized +8.00% vs +6.42% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FPXI or VXUS?
FPXI has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FPXI -55.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FPXI and VXUS?
FPXI 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 FPXI and VXUS?
At least 57.4% of FPXI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FPXI and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FPXI or VXUS?
FPXI yields 0.67% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FPXI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FPXI led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.