MFSI vs VXUS
MFS Active International ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MFSI 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 | MFSI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 99 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.55% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.01% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.2%Best | 11.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.7% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $13,160 | $14,718Best |
| Fund Family | MFS Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 5, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.8 years).
MFSI 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MFSI vs VXUS Performance
MFS Active International ETF (MFSI) is an ETF from MFS Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MFSI returned +14.01% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, MFSI is up 6.55% versus a gain of 13.35% 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 11.4% compared with 10.2% for MFSI. 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 -13.7% for MFSI 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFSI charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFSI currently yields 0.75% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 59.4% of MFSI'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, MFSI as of Aug 18, 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.
58 positions in common, counted across the 89 positions we hold weights for in MFSI and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 99 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MFSI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag - Common | 1.95% | 0.65% | 1.30% |
| ROG:SMRoche Holding Ag | 1.88% | 0.64% | 1.24% |
| CFR:SMCie Financiere Richemont Sa | 2.01% | 0.27% | 1.74% |
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC | 1.90% | 0.36% | 1.54% |
| 6501:JPHitachi Ltd | 1.97% | 0.27% | 1.70% |
| TD:CAToronto Dominion Bank/The | 1.78% | 0.45% | 1.33% |
| INGA:ASIng Groep Nv | 1.85% | 0.20% | 1.65% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 1.79% | 0.25% | 1.54% |
| 6503:JPMitsubishi Electric Corp | 1.84% | 0.16% | 1.68% |
| ISP:MIIntesa Sanpaolo SpA Shs | 1.72% | 0.23% | 1.49% |
59.4% of MFSI 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MFSI or VXUS?
MFSI has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFSI or VXUS?
Over the past year MFSI returned +14.01% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MFSI annualized +16.48% vs +23.95% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFSI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.4% annualized versus 10.2% for MFSI. Worst drawdown: MFSI -13.7% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both MFSI and VXUS?
MFSI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 MFSI and VXUS?
At least 59.4% of MFSI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 58 positions in common, counted across the 89 positions we hold weights for in MFSI and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, MFSI or VXUS?
MFSI yields 0.75% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MFSI?
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.