FTXL vs VXUS
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FTXL or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FTXL 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 | FTXL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 70 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +68.52%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +122.32%Best | +22.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +49.32%Best | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +27.53%Best | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $33,734Best | $15,260 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (10 years).
FTXL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FTXL vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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 FTXL returned +122.32% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, FTXL is up 68.52% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, FTXL compounded at +49.32% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +27.53% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXL has the edge at +27.97% annualized vs +8.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.2% 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 -43.9% for FTXL 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
FTXL charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTXL currently yields 0.11% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 34 holdings in FTXL and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXL as of Sep 1, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 70 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTXL 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, FTXL or VXUS?
FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTXL or VXUS?
Over the past year FTXL returned +122.32% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so FTXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXL annualized +27.97% vs +8.02% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXL or VXUS?
FTXL has been the more volatile fund at 31.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FTXL -43.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FTXL and VXUS?
FTXL 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, FTXL or VXUS?
FTXL yields 0.11% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FTXL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FTXL 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.