HELS vs VXUS
Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HELS or VXUS?
VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | HELS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 51 | 8,844 |
| Fund Family | Hedgeye Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 10, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 10 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HELS has data through Oct 20, 2026 and VXUS through Oct 30, 2026.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HELS charges 0.70% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $5 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HELS currently yields 0.02% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 4.2% of HELS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
HELS and VXUS share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in HELS and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 51 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HELS 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, HELS or VXUS?
HELS has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between HELS and VXUS?
At least 4.2% of HELS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in HELS and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, HELS or VXUS?
HELS yields 0.02% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HELS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.