GIAX vs VXUS
Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GIAX or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | GIAX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.03% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $108M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 24.80% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 87 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.99% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.68% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.9% | 11.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.4% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,158 | $15,149Best |
| Fund Family | XFunds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 29, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.1 years).
GIAX 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
GIAX vs VXUS Performance
Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF (GIAX) is an ETF from XFunds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GIAX returned +14.68% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, GIAX is up 12.99% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GIAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% compared with 11.6% 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 -20.4% for GIAX and -13.6% 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
GIAX charges 1.03% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $103 vs $5 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GIAX currently yields 24.80% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 26 holdings in GIAX and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 100.7% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, GIAX as of Aug 19, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in GIAX and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 87 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GIAX 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, GIAX or VXUS?
GIAX has an expense ratio of 1.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GIAX or VXUS?
Over the past year GIAX returned +14.68% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), GIAX annualized +13.96% vs +21.87% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GIAX or VXUS?
GIAX has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 11.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GIAX -20.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both GIAX and VXUS?
GIAX 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, GIAX or VXUS?
GIAX yields 24.80% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GIAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GIAX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.