MAXJ vs VXUS
iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MAXJ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | MAXJ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $163M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 6 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.70% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.28% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.2%Best | 11.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.3%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,787 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2024 to Sep 21, 2026 (2.2 years).
MAXJ 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
MAXJ vs VXUS Performance
iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MAXJ returned +5.28% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, MAXJ is up 4.70% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.6% compared with 4.2% for MAXJ. 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 -6.3% for MAXJ 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MAXJ charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MAXJ currently yields 0.73% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in MAXJ and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.6% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in MAXJ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 6 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MAXJ 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, MAXJ or VXUS?
MAXJ has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MAXJ or VXUS?
Over the past year MAXJ returned +5.28% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MAXJ annualized +7.76% vs +21.18% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MAXJ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.6% annualized versus 4.2% for MAXJ. Worst drawdown: MAXJ -6.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both MAXJ and VXUS?
MAXJ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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, MAXJ or VXUS?
MAXJ yields 0.73% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MAXJ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.