HWAY vs VXUS
Themes US Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HWAY or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HWAY led over 1Y 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 | HWAY | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 197 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.8% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $15,378Best | $14,236 |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 11, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 45 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HWAY has data through Jul 28, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2024 to Jul 28, 2026 (1.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HWAY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 12.7% 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 -25.8% for HWAY and -13.6% 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HWAY charges 0.29% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $5 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HWAY currently yields 1.05% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.3% of HWAY'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.
HWAY and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in HWAY and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 197 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HWAY | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMRZ:SMAmrize Ltd | 1.31% | 0.06% | 1.25% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HWAY 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, HWAY or VXUS?
HWAY has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HWAY or VXUS?
HWAY has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 12.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: HWAY -25.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both HWAY and VXUS?
HWAY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 HWAY and VXUS?
At least 1.3% of HWAY's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in HWAY and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, HWAY or VXUS?
HWAY yields 1.05% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HWAY?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HWAY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.