MDIV vs VXUS
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MDIV or VXUS?
Equity-oriented Balanced 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 | MDIV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.71% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $431M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.60% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 125 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.54% | +14.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.13% | +21.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.39% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.46% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -57.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,675 | $15,728Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 13, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 14, 2012 to Sep 22, 2026 (14.1 years).
MDIV 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 14.1 years both funds cover.
MDIV vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund (MDIV) 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 MDIV returned +8.13% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, MDIV is up 8.54% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, MDIV compounded at +10.39% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.46% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.28% annualized vs +0.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 13.5% for MDIV. 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 -57.0% for MDIV 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDIV charges 0.71% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $71 vs $5 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDIV currently yields 6.60% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of MDIV'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 123 positions we hold weights for in MDIV and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 125 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MDIV | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.34% | 0.05% | 0.29% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MDIV 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, MDIV or VXUS?
MDIV has an expense ratio of 0.71% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDIV or VXUS?
Over the past year MDIV returned +8.13% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), MDIV annualized +0.98% vs +6.28% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDIV or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 13.5% for MDIV. Worst drawdown: MDIV -57.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MDIV and VXUS?
MDIV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, MDIV or VXUS?
MDIV yields 6.60% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so MDIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MDIV?
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.