LBAY vs VXUS
Leatherback Long/Short Alternative Yield ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, LBAY or VXUS?
Long-Short Strategy 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 | LBAY | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.74% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 62 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.66%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +12.44% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.63% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.68% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.0%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,817 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Leatherback Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Long-Short Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 16, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2020 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.8 years).
LBAY 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
LBAY vs VXUS Performance
Leatherback Long/Short Alternative Yield ETF (LBAY) is an ETF from Leatherback Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LBAY returned +12.44% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, LBAY is up 16.66% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, LBAY compounded at +5.63% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.68% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +10.93% annualized vs +9.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LBAY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.3% 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 -16.0% for LBAY 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LBAY charges 1.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $120 vs $5 annually, a gap of $115 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LBAY currently yields 3.74% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 58 holdings in LBAY and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 134.1% and 87.7% 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, 5 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 52 days apart, LBAY as of Aug 21, 2026 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.
5 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in LBAY and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 62 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LBAY 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, LBAY or VXUS?
LBAY has an expense ratio of 1.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $115 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LBAY or VXUS?
Over the past year LBAY returned +12.44% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), LBAY annualized +9.12% vs +10.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LBAY or VXUS?
LBAY has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: LBAY -16.0% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both LBAY and VXUS?
LBAY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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, LBAY or VXUS?
LBAY yields 3.74% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so LBAY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than LBAY?
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.