FRNW vs VXUS
Fidelity Clean Energy ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FRNW or VXUS?
All Cap Blend 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 | FRNW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $98M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.24% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 71 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.50% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.83% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.18% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.90% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 29.0% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -28.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,085 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 5, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 7, 2021 to Sep 10, 2026 (4.9 years).
FRNW 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
FRNW vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Clean Energy ETF (FRNW) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FRNW returned +21.83% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, FRNW is up 4.50% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, FRNW compounded at +10.18% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.90% and +8.82% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FRNW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 29.0% compared with 15.2% 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 -59.4% for FRNW and -28.9% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRNW charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRNW currently yields 1.24% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 49.6% of FRNW'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.
The two holdings books were reported 59 days apart, FRNW as of Aug 28, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
24 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FRNW and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 71 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FRNW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VWS:COVestas Wind Systems A/S Shs New | 6.16% | 0.06% | 6.10% |
| EDP:PTEdp Energias De Portugal Sa | 4.35% | 0.03% | 4.32% |
| ENLT:ILEnlight Renewable Energy Ltd - Common | 3.15% | 0.03% | 3.12% |
| ORSTED:COOrsted As | 3.15% | 0.02% | 3.13% |
| OEZEYVerbund Ag | 2.83% | 0.01% | 2.82% |
| ANA:MASpain Acciona Sa | 2.57% | 0.02% | 2.55% |
| NPI:CANorthland Power, Inc. | 2.27% | 0.01% | 2.26% |
| BEPC:CABrookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Subordinate Voting Shares | 2.25% | 0.01% | 2.24% |
| 1816:SHCgn Power Company Limited | 2.17% | 0.01% | 2.16% |
| EDPR:MAEdp Renovaveis Sa | 2.16% | 0.01% | 2.15% |
49.6% of FRNW 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, FRNW or VXUS?
FRNW has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRNW or VXUS?
Over the past year FRNW returned +21.83% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRNW or VXUS?
FRNW has been the more volatile fund at 29.0% annualized versus 15.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FRNW -59.4% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both FRNW and VXUS?
FRNW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 FRNW and VXUS?
At least 49.6% of FRNW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FRNW and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FRNW or VXUS?
FRNW yields 1.24% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FRNW?
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.