HDG vs VXUS
ProShares Hedge Replication ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HDG or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | HDG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $22M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.36% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,988 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.27% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.81% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.95% | +19.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.07% | +8.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,632 | $15,099Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 12, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2011 to Sep 15, 2026 (15.2 years).
HDG 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 15.2 years both funds cover.
HDG vs VXUS Performance
ProShares Hedge Replication ETF (HDG) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HDG returned +8.81% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, HDG is up 6.27% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, HDG compounded at +6.95% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.07% and +8.59% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs +2.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 5.7% for HDG. 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 -15.3% for HDG 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HDG charges 0.95% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $5 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDG currently yields 2.36% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,919 holdings in HDG and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 10.2% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 10 positions appear in both.
10 positions in common, counted across the 1,919 positions we hold weights for in HDG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,988 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HDG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.01% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| RAILFreightcar America Inc | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| SSRMSsr Mining Inc | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| BIPCBrookfield Infrastructure Corporation Class A Ordinary Shares - Subordinate Voting Shares | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| EFR:CAEnergy Fuels Inc | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| PPTA:CAPerpetua Resources Corp | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| CASHMeta Financial Group Inc | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| SCLStepan Co | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| CLWClearwater Paper Corp | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HDG 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, HDG or VXUS?
HDG has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HDG or VXUS?
Over the past year HDG returned +8.81% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), HDG annualized +2.70% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HDG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 5.7% for HDG. Worst drawdown: HDG -15.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both HDG and VXUS?
HDG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, HDG or VXUS?
HDG yields 2.36% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HDG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.