HEAL vs VXUS
Global X HealthTech ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HEAL or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth 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 | HEAL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $31M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.24% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 43 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -3.44% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.96% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -1.70% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -12.74% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.8% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $5,059 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 29, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2020 to Sep 10, 2026 (6.1 years).
HEAL 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 6.1 years both funds cover.
HEAL vs VXUS Performance
Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HEAL returned -10.96% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, HEAL is down 3.44% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, HEAL compounded at -1.70% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -12.74% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +11.65% annualized vs -7.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HEAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 14.9% 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 -65.8% for HEAL and -29.4% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEAL charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEAL currently yields 0.24% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 17.1% of HEAL'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.
HEAL and VXUS share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in HEAL and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 43 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HEAL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PME:AUPro Medicus Ltd | 4.70% | 0.02% | 4.68% |
| PHG:ASKoninklijke Philips Nv | 3.80% | 0.05% | 3.75% |
| DEMANT:CODemant A/S | 3.26% | 0.01% | 3.25% |
| 241:HKAlibaba Health Information Technology Limited Shs | 2.51% | 0.01% | 2.50% |
| 4DX:AU4DMedical Ltd | 1.66% | 0.00% | 1.66% |
| XVIVO:STXvivo Perfusion Ab | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| 458870:KRSeers Co Ltd | 0.53% | 0.00% | 0.53% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEAL 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, HEAL or VXUS?
HEAL has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEAL or VXUS?
Over the past year HEAL returned -10.96% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), HEAL annualized -7.82% vs +11.65% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEAL or VXUS?
HEAL has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: HEAL -65.8% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both HEAL and VXUS?
HEAL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 HEAL and VXUS?
At least 17.1% of HEAL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in HEAL and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, HEAL or VXUS?
HEAL yields 0.24% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HEAL?
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.