MIDU vs VXUS
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MIDU or VXUS?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MIDU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y.
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 | MIDU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $66M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 406 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.28%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +21.99%Best | +19.71% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72%Best | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.35% | +8.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 51.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,693 | $15,099Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 8, 2009 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 15, 2026 (15.6 years).
MIDU 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
MIDU vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X ETF (MIDU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MIDU returned +21.99% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, MIDU is up 19.28% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, MIDU compounded at +20.72% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.35% and +8.59% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, MIDU has the edge at +11.34% annualized vs +4.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MIDU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 51.7% compared with 15.0% 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 -86.5% for MIDU 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MIDU charges 0.98% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $5 annually, a gap of $93 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MIDU currently yields 0.52% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of MIDU'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.
MIDU and VXUS share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 401 positions we hold weights for in MIDU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 406 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MIDU | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBA:CARb Global, Inc | 0.34% | 0.05% | 0.29% |
| CNHCnh Industrial N.V. Nv | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.17% | 0.01% | 0.16% |
| BILLBill.Com Holdings, Inc. Common Stock | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.09% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MIDU 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, MIDU or VXUS?
MIDU has an expense ratio of 0.98% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $93 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MIDU or VXUS?
Over the past year MIDU returned +21.99% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so MIDU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MIDU annualized +11.34% vs +4.71% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MIDU or VXUS?
MIDU has been the more volatile fund at 51.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MIDU -86.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MIDU and VXUS?
MIDU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 MIDU and VXUS?
At least 1.1% of MIDU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 401 positions we hold weights for in MIDU and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, MIDU or VXUS?
MIDU yields 0.52% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MIDU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MIDU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.