LTL vs VXUS
ProShares Ultra Communication Services vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, LTL or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | LTL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 28 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -11.54% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.73% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.98%Best | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.49%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,546Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2008 | 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 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
LTL 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.
LTL vs VXUS Performance
ProShares Ultra Communication Services (LTL) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LTL returned -11.73% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, LTL is down 11.54% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, LTL compounded at +30.98% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +15.49% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, LTL has the edge at +9.26% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.9% 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 -65.8% for LTL 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LTL charges 0.95% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $5 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LTL currently yields 1.01% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 24 holdings in LTL and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 60.7% 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 62 days apart, LTL as of Aug 31, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in LTL and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 28 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LTL 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, LTL or VXUS?
LTL has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LTL or VXUS?
Over the past year LTL returned -11.73% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), LTL annualized +9.26% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LTL or VXUS?
LTL has been the more volatile fund at 30.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: LTL -65.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both LTL and VXUS?
LTL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, LTL or VXUS?
LTL yields 1.01% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than LTL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.