FXI vs VXUS
iShares China Large-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FXI or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | FXI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.73% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.91% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 60 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -11.44% | +14.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.31% | +21.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.25% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.10% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,050 | $15,728Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 5, 2004 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026 (15.6 years).
FXI 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
FXI vs VXUS Performance
iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FXI returned -12.31% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, FXI is down 11.44% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, FXI compounded at +12.25% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.10% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.84% annualized vs -0.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.9% 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 -60.8% for FXI 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXI charges 0.73% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $73 vs $5 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXI currently yields 1.91% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 39.7% of FXI'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FXI and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 60 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FXI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3690:SHMeituan Dianping | 4.49% | 0.15% | 4.34% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd Class H | 4.15% | 0.11% | 4.04% |
| 2318:HKPing An Insurance (group) Co. Of China Ltd Class H | 3.81% | 0.11% | 3.70% |
| 9999:KYNetease Inc | 3.64% | 0.11% | 3.53% |
| 2628:HKChina Life Insurance Co. Ltd. H | 2.36% | 0.06% | 2.30% |
| 9961:KYTrip.Com Group Ltd | 2.26% | 0.06% | 2.20% |
| 1288:SHAgricultural Bank Of China Ltd | 2.04% | 0.06% | 1.98% |
| 3968:HKChina Merchants Bank Ltd. H | 2.01% | 0.06% | 1.95% |
| 6160:HKBeigene Ag | 1.83% | 0.05% | 1.78% |
| 1088:HKChina Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Class H | 1.64% | 0.04% | 1.60% |
39.7% of FXI is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FXI or VXUS?
FXI has an expense ratio of 0.73% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXI or VXUS?
Over the past year FXI returned -12.31% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FXI annualized -0.36% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXI or VXUS?
FXI has been the more volatile fund at 23.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FXI -60.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FXI and VXUS?
FXI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 FXI and VXUS?
At least 39.7% of FXI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FXI and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXI or VXUS?
FXI yields 1.91% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FXI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.