FXN vs VXUS
First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FXN or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FXN led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | FXN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.63% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $407M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 80 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +40.53%Best | +13.64% |
| 1Y Return | +46.76%Best | +20.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.25% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.70%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 34.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,574Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | 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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
FXN 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.
FXN vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) 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 FXN returned +46.76% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, FXN is up 40.53% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, FXN compounded at +12.25% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +19.70% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs +1.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.4% 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 -88.4% for FXN 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXN charges 0.63% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $63 vs $5 annually, a gap of $58 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXN currently yields 1.51% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.0% of FXN'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.
FXN and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FXN and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 80 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FXN 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, FXN or VXUS?
FXN has an expense ratio of 0.63% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXN or VXUS?
Over the past year FXN returned +46.76% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so FXN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FXN annualized +1.24% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXN or VXUS?
FXN has been the more volatile fund at 34.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FXN -88.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FXN and VXUS?
FXN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 FXN and VXUS?
At least 3.0% of FXN'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 39 positions we hold weights for in FXN and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXN or VXUS?
FXN yields 1.51% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FXN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FXN led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.