HIX vs VXUS
Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HIX or VXUS?
Long Term High Quality 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 | HIX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.82% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $363M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 14.59% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 431 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.30% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.70% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.05% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.07% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,965 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 1998 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
HIX 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
HIX vs VXUS Performance
Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (HIX) 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 HIX returned +3.70% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, HIX is up 2.30% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, HIX compounded at +6.05% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -0.07% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs -1.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HIX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 15.0% 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 -64.1% for HIX 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HIX charges 3.82% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $382 vs $5 annually, a gap of $377 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HIX currently yields 14.59% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 288 holdings in HIX and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 79.3% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 242 days apart, HIX as of Oct 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 288 positions we hold weights for in HIX and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 431 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HIX 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, HIX or VXUS?
HIX has an expense ratio of 3.82% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $377 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HIX or VXUS?
Over the past year HIX returned +3.70% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), HIX annualized -1.38% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HIX or VXUS?
HIX has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: HIX -64.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both HIX and VXUS?
HIX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, HIX or VXUS?
HIX yields 14.59% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so HIX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HIX?
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.