FXL vs VXUS
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FXL or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FXL 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 | FXL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.8B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 222 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +26.25%Best | +15.57% |
| 1Y Return | +34.31%Best | +27.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.32%Best | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.64%Best | +8.96% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,579Best | $15,358 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | 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 3, 2026 (15.6 years).
FXL 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.
FXL vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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 FXL returned +34.31% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, FXL is up 26.25% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, FXL compounded at +22.32% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.64% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FXL has the edge at +15.57% annualized vs +4.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% 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 -38.5% for FXL 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXL 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, FXL currently yields 0.00% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of FXL'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 222 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FXL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCCSCcc Intelligent Solutions Hold | 0.39% | 0.01% | 0.38% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FXL 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, FXL or VXUS?
FXL 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, FXL or VXUS?
Over the past year FXL returned +34.31% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so FXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FXL annualized +15.57% vs +4.90% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXL or VXUS?
FXL has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FXL -38.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FXL and VXUS?
FXL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, FXL or VXUS?
FXL yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FXL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FXL 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.