FTXN vs VXUS
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FTXN or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 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 | FTXN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $164M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.73% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 88 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +45.68%Best | +14.83% |
| 1Y Return | +51.28%Best | +24.27% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.61% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.94%Best | +9.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.2% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,084Best | $15,436 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | 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 23, 2016 to Sep 9, 2026 (10 years).
FTXN 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 10 years both funds cover.
FTXN vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) 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 FTXN returned +51.28% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, FTXN is up 45.68% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, FTXN compounded at +13.61% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +22.94% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXN has the edge at +8.97% annualized vs +8.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.2% compared with 14.9% 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 -74.4% for FTXN 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXN 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, FTXN currently yields 1.73% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.8% of FTXN'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.
FTXN and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXN 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.
2 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 88 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTXN 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, FTXN or VXUS?
FTXN 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, FTXN or VXUS?
Over the past year FTXN returned +51.28% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so FTXN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXN annualized +8.97% vs +8.17% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXN or VXUS?
FTXN has been the more volatile fund at 32.2% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FTXN -74.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FTXN and VXUS?
FTXN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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 FTXN and VXUS?
At least 1.8% of FTXN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXN or VXUS?
FTXN yields 1.73% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FTXN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.