HELX vs VXUS
Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HELX or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HELX led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | HELX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 69 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.99%Best | +15.57% |
| 1Y Return | +40.14%Best | +27.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.73% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -6.08% | +8.96%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.0% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,308 | $15,358Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 27, 2020 to Sep 3, 2026 (6.5 years).
HELX 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 6.5 years both funds cover.
HELX vs VXUS Performance
Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HELX returned +40.14% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, HELX is up 15.99% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, HELX compounded at +11.73% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -6.08% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +11.74% annualized vs +9.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HELX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.0% compared with 16.3% 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 -58.8% for HELX 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HELX 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, HELX currently yields 0.00% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.8% of HELX'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.
HELX and VXUS share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 66 positions we hold weights for in HELX and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 69 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HELX 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, HELX or VXUS?
HELX 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, HELX or VXUS?
Over the past year HELX returned +40.14% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so HELX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), HELX annualized +9.18% vs +11.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HELX or VXUS?
HELX has been the more volatile fund at 25.0% annualized versus 16.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: HELX -58.8% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both HELX and VXUS?
HELX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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 HELX and VXUS?
At least 6.8% of HELX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 66 positions we hold weights for in HELX and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, HELX or VXUS?
HELX yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HELX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HELX led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.