FTCA vs VXUS
Franklin California Municipal Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FTCA or VXUS?
Municipal California against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | FTCA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $761M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.89% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 356 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | -1.13% | +8.76%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.53% | +13.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.91% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +7.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.1%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.1%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $9,923 | $11,169Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Municipal California | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 29, 1993 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 27, 2025 to Nov 13, 2026 (1 years).
FTCA 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 1 years both funds cover.
FTCA vs VXUS Performance
Franklin California Municipal Income ETF (FTCA) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FTCA returned -0.53% while VXUS returned +13.05%. Year to date, FTCA is down 1.13% versus a gain of 8.76% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 7.1% for FTCA. 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 -8.1% for FTCA and -11.3% 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 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCA charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCA currently yields 3.89% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 64 holdings in FTCA and 8,462 in VXUS, totalling 35.5% and 89.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in FTCA and 8,462 in VXUS, against full books of 356 and 9,293.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCA 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, FTCA or VXUS?
FTCA has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCA or VXUS?
Over the past year FTCA returned -0.53% vs +13.05% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FTCA annualized -0.77% vs +11.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 7.1% for FTCA. Worst drawdown: FTCA -8.1% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both FTCA and VXUS?
FTCA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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, FTCA or VXUS?
FTCA yields 3.89% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so FTCA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FTCA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.