HFXI vs VXUS

HFXI vs VXUS

Which is better, HFXI or VXUS?

Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HFXI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: HFXI

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

MetricHFXIVXUS
Expense Ratio0.20%0.05%Best
AUM$2.2B$158.1B
Dividend Yield3.39%2.59%
Holdings9468,747
YTD Return+17.08%Best+15.57%
1Y Return+30.93%Best+27.46%
3Y Return (annualized)+20.77%Best+20.30%
5Y Return (annualized)+11.92%Best+8.96%
Volatility (annualized)13.8%Best15.0%
Max Drawdown-34.2%Best-39.9%
$10,000 over 5 years$17,561Best$15,358
Fund FamilyINDEXIQ ETF TRUSTVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJul 22, 2015Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 22, 2015 to Sep 3, 2026 (11.1 years).

HFXI 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 11.1 years both funds cover.

HFXI vs VXUS Performance

NYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF (HFXI) is an ETF from INDEXIQ ETF TRUST and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HFXI returned +30.93% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, HFXI is up 17.08% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.

Over three years, HFXI compounded at +20.77% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.92% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, HFXI has the edge at +7.88% annualized vs +6.74%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 13.8% for HFXI. 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 -34.2% for HFXI 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

HFXI charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFXI currently yields 3.39% against 2.59% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

HFXI already in VXUS62.0%

At least 62.0% of HFXI'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.

The two portfolios partly overlap.

504 positions in common, counted across the 742 positions we hold weights for in HFXI and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 946 and 8,747.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in HFXIWeight in VXUSDifference
000660:KRSk Hynix Inc2.71%2.17%0.54%
HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc1.36%0.72%0.64%
AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC0.99%0.62%0.37%
NESN:SMNestlã S.A., Registered Shares0.97%0.59%0.38%
8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc.1.00%0.48%0.52%
SHELShell Plc0.95%0.48%0.47%
CBA:AUPembina Pipeline Corp Cum Red Pfd Shs -A- Series -90.81%0.42%0.39%
SAN:MABanco Santander S.a.0.77%0.45%0.32%
BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd0.87%0.30%0.57%
8035:JPTokyo Electron Limited0.67%0.47%0.20%

62.0% of HFXI is already inside VXUS.

You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.

HFXIVXUS

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, HFXI or VXUS?

HFXI has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, HFXI or VXUS?

Over the past year HFXI returned +30.93% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so HFXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), HFXI annualized +7.88% vs +6.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, HFXI or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.8% for HFXI. Worst drawdown: HFXI -34.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.

Should I hold both HFXI and VXUS?

HFXI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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.

What is the holdings overlap between HFXI and VXUS?

At least 62.0% of HFXI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 504 positions in common, counted across the 742 positions we hold weights for in HFXI and 8,094 in VXUS.

Which pays a higher dividend, HFXI or VXUS?

HFXI yields 3.39% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so HFXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than HFXI?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HFXI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.