MRGR vs VXUS
ProShares Merger ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MRGR or VXUS?
Multi Alternative 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 | MRGR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 50 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.23% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.80% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.17% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.48% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.3%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,865 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2012 to Sep 21, 2026 (13.8 years).
MRGR 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 13.8 years both funds cover.
MRGR vs VXUS Performance
ProShares Merger ETF (MRGR) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MRGR returned +5.80% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, MRGR is up 1.23% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, MRGR compounded at +6.17% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.48% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.97% annualized vs +1.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 8.3% for MRGR. 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 -22.5% for MRGR 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 0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MRGR charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MRGR currently yields 1.26% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 40 holdings in MRGR and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 91.3% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 7 positions appear in both.
7 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in MRGR and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 50 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MRGR 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, MRGR or VXUS?
MRGR has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MRGR or VXUS?
Over the past year MRGR returned +5.80% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), MRGR annualized +1.92% vs +5.97% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MRGR or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 8.3% for MRGR. Worst drawdown: MRGR -22.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MRGR and VXUS?
MRGR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.07, 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, MRGR or VXUS?
MRGR yields 1.26% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MRGR?
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.