HAWX vs VXUS
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI ACWI ex US ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HAWX or VXUS?
HAWX has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HAWX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | HAWX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $354M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 373 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +13.73%Best | +8.76% |
| 1Y Return | +17.71%Best | +13.05% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.31%Best | +17.91% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.01%Best | +7.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,631Best | $14,619 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 29, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2015 to Nov 13, 2026 (11.4 years).
HAWX 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
HAWX vs VXUS Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI ACWI ex US ETF (HAWX) 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 HAWX returned +17.71% while VXUS returned +13.05%. Year to date, HAWX is up 13.73% versus a gain of 8.76% for VXUS.
Over three years, HAWX compounded at +20.31% per year against +17.91% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.01% and +7.89% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, HAWX has the edge at +8.11% annualized vs +5.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 12.3% for HAWX. 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 -30.6% for HAWX 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HAWX charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HAWX currently yields 2.51% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in HAWX and 8,462 in VXUS, totalling 100.1% and 89.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in HAWX and 8,462 in VXUS, against full books of 373 and 9,293.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HAWX 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, HAWX or VXUS?
HAWX has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HAWX or VXUS?
Over the past year HAWX returned +17.71% vs +13.05% for VXUS, so HAWX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), HAWX annualized +8.11% vs +5.97% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HAWX or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 12.3% for HAWX. Worst drawdown: HAWX -30.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both HAWX and VXUS?
HAWX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HAWX or VXUS?
HAWX yields 2.51% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so HAWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HAWX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HAWX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.