GARP vs VXUS
iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GARP or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GARP 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 | GARP | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.27% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 135 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +21.83%Best | +15.57% |
| 1Y Return | +34.69%Best | +27.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +31.33%Best | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.48%Best | +8.96% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 16.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.3%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,378Best | $15,358 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 16, 2020 to Sep 3, 2026 (6.6 years).
GARP 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 6.6 years both funds cover.
GARP vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) 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 GARP returned +34.69% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, GARP is up 21.83% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, GARP compounded at +31.33% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +17.48% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, GARP has the edge at +20.47% annualized vs +9.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GARP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 16.4% 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 -31.3% for GARP and -35.1% 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GARP charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GARP currently yields 0.27% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.2% of GARP'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.
GARP and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 132 positions we hold weights for in GARP and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 135 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GARP | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 1.16% | 0.00% | 1.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GARP 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, GARP or VXUS?
GARP has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GARP or VXUS?
Over the past year GARP returned +34.69% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so GARP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), GARP annualized +20.47% vs +9.64% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GARP or VXUS?
GARP has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 16.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GARP -31.3% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both GARP and VXUS?
GARP and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 GARP and VXUS?
At least 1.2% of GARP's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 132 positions we hold weights for in GARP and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GARP or VXUS?
GARP yields 0.27% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GARP?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GARP 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.