HEAT vs VXUS
Touchstone Climate Transition ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HEAT or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | HEAT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.53% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 64 | 8,844 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.7% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $12,259 | $14,739Best |
| Fund Family | Touchstone Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2023 | 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 297 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HEAT has data through Dec 19, 2025 and VXUS through Oct 12, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2023 to Dec 19, 2025 (2.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HEAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 10.9% 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 -20.7% for HEAT 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEAT charges 0.69% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $5 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEAT currently yields 0.53% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEAT 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, HEAT or VXUS?
HEAT has an expense ratio of 0.69% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HEAT or VXUS?
HEAT has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 10.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: HEAT -20.7% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both HEAT and VXUS?
HEAT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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, HEAT or VXUS?
HEAT yields 0.53% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HEAT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.