HBTA vs VXUS
Horizon Expedition Plus ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HBTA or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HBTA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | HBTA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $243M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.58% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 208 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4%Best | 21.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.8%Best | -25.1% |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,020Best | $8,839 |
| Fund Family | Horizon Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 5077 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HBTA has data through Oct 16, 2012 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 27, 2011 to Oct 16, 2012 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% compared with 19.4% for HBTA. 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 -23.8% for HBTA and -25.1% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HBTA charges 0.86% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $5 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HBTA currently yields 0.58% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.9% of HBTA'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.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, HBTA as of Aug 18, 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.
3 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in HBTA and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 208 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HBTA 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, HBTA or VXUS?
HBTA has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HBTA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 19.4% for HBTA. Worst drawdown: HBTA -23.8% vs VXUS -25.1%.
Should I hold both HBTA and VXUS?
HBTA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, HBTA or VXUS?
HBTA yields 0.58% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HBTA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HBTA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.