MDEV vs VXUS
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MDEV or VXUS?
All Cap Blend 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 | MDEV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 53 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.14% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.39% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.85% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -5.65% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.3% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,477 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 22, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.2 years).
MDEV 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
MDEV vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MDEV returned +2.39% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, MDEV is down 0.14% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, MDEV compounded at +2.85% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -5.65% and +9.09% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDEV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 14.9% 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 -42.3% for MDEV 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDEV charges 0.70% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $5 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDEV currently yields 0.11% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 25.0% of MDEV'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.
MDEV and VXUS share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 53 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MDEV | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2359:HKWuxi Apptec Co Ltd | 2.70% | 0.02% | 2.68% |
| DEMANT:CODemant A/S | 2.66% | 0.01% | 2.65% |
| SOON:SMSonova Holding Ag | 2.37% | 0.03% | 2.34% |
| STMN:SMStraumann Holding Ag (Registered) | 2.32% | 0.03% | 2.29% |
| 7733:JPOlympus Corp | 2.23% | 0.02% | 2.21% |
| AFX:FFCarl Zeiss Meditec Ag | 2.19% | 0.00% | 2.19% |
| FPH:NZFive Point Holdings, Llc Class A Common Shares | 2.14% | 0.03% | 2.11% |
| SHL:DBSiemens Healthineers Ag | 1.95% | 0.03% | 1.92% |
| PHG:ASKoninklijke (royal) Philips Electronics N.v. | 1.78% | 0.05% | 1.73% |
| ALCAlcon AG | 1.72% | 0.07% | 1.65% |
25.0% of MDEV is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MDEV or VXUS?
MDEV has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDEV or VXUS?
Over the past year MDEV returned +2.39% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDEV or VXUS?
MDEV has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MDEV -42.3% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both MDEV and VXUS?
MDEV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 MDEV and VXUS?
At least 25.0% of MDEV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDEV or VXUS?
MDEV yields 0.11% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MDEV?
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.