HGLB vs VXUS
Highland Global Allocation Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HGLB or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value 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 | HGLB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.67% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $270M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.03% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 69 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -13.09% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.42% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.89% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.61% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.5% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,138 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | NexPoint | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 5, 1998 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 19, 2019 to Sep 23, 2026 (7.6 years).
HGLB 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 7.6 years both funds cover.
HGLB vs VXUS Performance
Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB) is an ETF from NexPoint and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HGLB returned -10.42% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, HGLB is down 13.09% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, HGLB compounded at +7.89% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.61% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.40% annualized vs -1.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HGLB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.5% compared with 15.9% 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 -74.1% for HGLB and -35.1% 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
HGLB charges 2.67% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $267 vs $5 annually, a gap of $262 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HGLB currently yields 9.03% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 40 holdings in HGLB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 51.6% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 3 positions appear in both.
3 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in HGLB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 69 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HGLB 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, HGLB or VXUS?
HGLB has an expense ratio of 2.67% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $262 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HGLB or VXUS?
Over the past year HGLB returned -10.42% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), HGLB annualized -1.43% vs +9.40% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HGLB or VXUS?
HGLB has been the more volatile fund at 31.5% annualized versus 15.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: HGLB -74.1% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both HGLB and VXUS?
HGLB 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, HGLB or VXUS?
HGLB yields 9.03% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so HGLB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HGLB?
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.