FTLS vs VXUS
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FTLS or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | FTLS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.38% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 363 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.40% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.39% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.73% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.08%Best | +8.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.7%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,164Best | $15,127 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2014 to Sep 16, 2026 (12 years).
FTLS 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 12 years both funds cover.
FTLS vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) 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 FTLS returned +11.39% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, FTLS is up 7.40% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, FTLS compounded at +13.73% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.08% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, FTLS has the edge at +8.56% annualized vs +5.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 8.7% for FTLS. 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 -20.5% for FTLS 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTLS charges 1.38% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $138 vs $5 annually, a gap of $133 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTLS currently yields 0.86% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 346 holdings in FTLS and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 94.8% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 61 positions appear in both.
61 positions in common, counted across the 346 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 363 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTLS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 1.63% | 0.32% | 1.31% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.36% | 0.57% | 0.21% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 0.57% | 0.22% | 0.35% |
| ABX:CABarrick Gold Corp ., January 2025, $23 .50 Cad | 0.63% | 0.08% | 0.55% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.25% | 0.45% | 0.20% |
| CLS:CACelestica Inc. Common Stock | 0.49% | 0.08% | 0.41% |
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | 0.40% | 0.11% | 0.29% |
| TSEM:ILTower Semiconductor Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.43% | 0.06% | 0.37% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | -0.18% | 0.66% | 0.84% |
| SU:CASuncor Energy Inc | 0.30% | 0.18% | 0.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTLS 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, FTLS or VXUS?
FTLS has an expense ratio of 1.38% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $133 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTLS or VXUS?
Over the past year FTLS returned +11.39% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FTLS annualized +8.56% vs +5.44% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTLS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 8.7% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: FTLS -20.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FTLS and VXUS?
FTLS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, FTLS or VXUS?
FTLS yields 0.86% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FTLS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.