LVHD vs VXUS
Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, LVHD or VXUS?
Large 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 | LVHD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.27% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $620M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 117 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.91% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.50% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.90% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.19% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,150 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 28, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 29, 2015 to Sep 18, 2026 (10.7 years).
LVHD 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 10.7 years both funds cover.
LVHD vs VXUS Performance
Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHD) 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 LVHD returned +8.50% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, LVHD is up 8.91% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, LVHD compounded at +10.90% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.19% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.68% annualized vs +6.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 13.5% for LVHD. 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 -37.3% for LVHD 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LVHD charges 0.27% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $27 vs $5 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LVHD currently yields 3.38% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of LVHD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 115 positions we hold weights for in LVHD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 117 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 115 and 8,082 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions LVHD does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LVHD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.34% | 0.00% | 0.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LVHD 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, LVHD or VXUS?
LVHD has an expense ratio of 0.27% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LVHD or VXUS?
Over the past year LVHD returned +8.50% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), LVHD annualized +6.99% vs +7.68% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LVHD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 13.5% for LVHD. Worst drawdown: LVHD -37.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both LVHD and VXUS?
LVHD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, LVHD or VXUS?
LVHD yields 3.38% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so LVHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than LVHD?
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.