FWD vs VXUS
AB Disruptors ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FWD or VXUS?
FWD has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FWD led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | FWD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 125 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +23.84%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +32.43%Best | +20.21% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +36.17%Best | +19.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.0% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.0% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $27,075Best | $17,753 |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2023 to Sep 24, 2026 (3.5 years).
FWD 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 3.5 years both funds cover.
FWD vs VXUS Performance
AB Disruptors ETF (FWD) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FWD returned +32.43% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, FWD is up 23.84% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, FWD compounded at +36.17% per year against +19.97% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, FWD has the edge at +32.92% annualized vs +17.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FWD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.0% compared with 12.2% 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 -29.0% for FWD and -13.6% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FWD charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FWD currently yields 0.09% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 13.1% of FWD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
FWD and VXUS share little of their money.
21 positions in common, counted across the 118 positions we hold weights for in FWD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 125 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FWD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 1.06% | 1.41% | 0.35% |
| RR:LNRolls Royce Holdings Plc Common Stock Gbp.2 | 1.00% | 0.38% | 0.62% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.74% | 0.62% | 0.12% |
| BAES:LNBae Systems Plc | 0.98% | 0.19% | 0.79% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 0.81% | 0.35% | 0.46% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 0.84% | 0.32% | 0.52% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd | 0.78% | 0.34% | 0.44% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 0.66% | 0.42% | 0.24% |
| ENR1N:MUSiemens Energy Ag | 0.77% | 0.29% | 0.48% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 0.66% | 0.32% | 0.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FWD 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, FWD or VXUS?
FWD has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FWD or VXUS?
Over the past year FWD returned +32.43% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so FWD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), FWD annualized +32.92% vs +17.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FWD or VXUS?
FWD has been the more volatile fund at 24.0% annualized versus 12.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FWD -29.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both FWD and VXUS?
FWD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 FWD and VXUS?
At least 13.1% of FWD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 118 positions we hold weights for in FWD and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FWD or VXUS?
FWD yields 0.09% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FWD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FWD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.