FTAG vs VXUS
First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FTAG or VXUS?
Agriculture 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 | FTAG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $15M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 61 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.12%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +20.58% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.68% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.15% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -98.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,677 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Agriculture | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 11, 2010 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
FTAG 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.
FTAG vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) 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 FTAG returned +20.58% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FTAG is up 19.12% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FTAG compounded at +6.68% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.15% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs -18.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTAG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.4% 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 -98.4% for FTAG 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTAG 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, FTAG currently yields 1.30% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 17.9% of FTAG'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.
FTAG and VXUS share little of their money.
19 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in FTAG and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 61 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTAG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTR:CANutrien Ltd | 4.32% | 0.07% | 4.25% |
| IQCD:QAIndustries Qatar Qsc | 3.56% | 0.01% | 3.55% |
| EVK:FFEvonik Industries Ag | 1.90% | 0.01% | 1.89% |
| ICLIcl Group Ltd | 1.36% | 0.01% | 1.35% |
| 4183:JPMitsui Chemicals Inc. Com Stk | 1.09% | 0.01% | 1.08% |
| BUCN:SMBucher Industries Ag | 0.80% | 0.01% | 0.79% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.77% | 0.00% | 0.77% |
| ESCORTS:MBEscorts Kubota Ltd | 0.73% | 0.00% | 0.73% |
| GUBRF:TRGubre Fabrikalari Tas | 0.61% | 0.00% | 0.61% |
| ORBIA:MXOrbia Advance Corp Sab De Cv | 0.54% | 0.00% | 0.54% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTAG 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, FTAG or VXUS?
FTAG 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, FTAG or VXUS?
Over the past year FTAG returned +20.58% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FTAG annualized -18.18% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTAG or VXUS?
FTAG has been the more volatile fund at 30.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FTAG -98.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FTAG and VXUS?
FTAG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 FTAG and VXUS?
At least 17.9% of FTAG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in FTAG and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTAG or VXUS?
FTAG yields 1.30% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FTAG?
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.