FRI vs VXUS
First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FRI or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FRI 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 | FRI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $196M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.48% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 254 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.67% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.01% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.90% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.71% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,998 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
FRI 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
FRI vs VXUS Performance
First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI) 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 FRI returned +11.01% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, FRI is up 11.67% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, FRI compounded at +10.90% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.71% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FRI has the edge at +5.62% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FRI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 15.0% 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 -44.2% for FRI 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRI charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRI currently yields 2.48% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.8% of FRI'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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 124 positions we hold weights for in FRI and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 254 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FRI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.80% | 0.00% | 0.80% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FRI 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, FRI or VXUS?
FRI has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRI or VXUS?
Over the past year FRI returned +11.01% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FRI annualized +5.62% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRI or VXUS?
FRI has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FRI -44.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FRI and VXUS?
FRI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, FRI or VXUS?
FRI yields 2.48% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FRI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FRI 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.