FXB vs VOO
Invesco CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FXB or VOO?
Single Currency against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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 | FXB | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $65M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.11% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 3 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +0.73% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.03% | +17.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.32% | +21.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.45% | +13.08%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.0%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.1% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,746 | $18,490Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Single Currency | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 21, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 17, 2026 (16 years).
FXB vs VOO 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.
FXB vs VOO Performance
Invesco CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust (FXB) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FXB returned +0.03% while VOO returned +17.03%. Year to date, FXB is up 0.73% versus a gain of 12.25% for VOO.
Over three years, FXB compounded at +5.32% per year against +21.25% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +1.45% and +13.08% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs -0.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 8.0% for FXB. 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 -39.1% for FXB and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXB charges 0.40% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $3 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXB currently yields 2.11% against 1.04% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FXB and VOO 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, FXB or VOO?
FXB has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXB or VOO?
Over the past year FXB returned +0.03% vs +17.03% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FXB annualized -0.48% vs +13.38% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXB or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 8.0% for FXB. Worst drawdown: FXB -39.1% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FXB and VOO?
FXB and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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, FXB or VOO?
FXB yields 2.11% while VOO yields 1.04%, so FXB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FXB?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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.