MFUS vs VXUS
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MFUS or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MFUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | MFUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $301M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 884 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +15.44%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +17.86% | +18.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.24%Best | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.97%Best | +9.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,400Best | $15,865 |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 31, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 6, 2017 to Oct 2, 2026 (9.1 years).
MFUS 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 9.1 years both funds cover.
MFUS vs VXUS Performance
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF (MFUS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MFUS returned +17.86% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, MFUS is up 15.44% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, MFUS compounded at +22.24% per year against +21.40% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.97% and +9.67% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, MFUS has the edge at +12.31% annualized vs +7.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.5% for MFUS. 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 -35.2% for MFUS 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFUS charges 0.29% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $5 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFUS currently yields 1.37% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.5% of MFUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 874 positions we hold weights for in MFUS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 884 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MFUS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRKroger Co. | 0.29% | 0.00% | 0.29% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.07% | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MFUS 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, MFUS or VXUS?
MFUS has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFUS or VXUS?
Over the past year MFUS returned +17.86% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), MFUS annualized +12.31% vs +7.13% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFUS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.5% for MFUS. Worst drawdown: MFUS -35.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MFUS and VXUS?
MFUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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, MFUS or VXUS?
MFUS yields 1.37% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MFUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MFUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.