FRA vs VXUS
Blackrock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund Inc vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FRA or VXUS?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FRA 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 | FRA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.97% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $402M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.10% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 469 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.38% | +13.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -8.10% | +21.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.36% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.97% | +9.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.7%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -42.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,363 | $15,499Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2003 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 25, 2026 (15.7 years).
FRA 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
FRA vs VXUS Performance
Blackrock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund Inc (FRA) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FRA returned -8.10% while VXUS returned +21.98%. Year to date, FRA is down 1.38% versus a gain of 13.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, FRA compounded at +6.36% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.97% and +9.16% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FRA has the edge at +5.58% annualized vs +4.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 11.7% for FRA. 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 -42.8% for FRA 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRA charges 2.97% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $297 vs $5 annually, a gap of $292 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRA currently yields 13.10% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 221 holdings in FRA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 76.2% and 88.8% 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 212 days apart, FRA as of Dec 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 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 221 positions we hold weights for in FRA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 469 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FRA 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, FRA or VXUS?
FRA has an expense ratio of 2.97% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $292 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRA or VXUS?
Over the past year FRA returned -8.10% vs +21.98% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FRA annualized +5.58% vs +4.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 11.7% for FRA. Worst drawdown: FRA -42.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FRA and VXUS?
FRA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, FRA or VXUS?
FRA yields 13.10% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FRA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FRA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FRA 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.