MTUM vs VXUS
iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MTUM or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MTUM 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 | MTUM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $24.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.62% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 130 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +18.58%Best | +15.57% |
| 1Y Return | +24.12% | +27.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.94%Best | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.57%Best | +8.96% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,288Best | $15,358 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 18, 2013 to Sep 3, 2026 (13.4 years).
MTUM 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 13.4 years both funds cover.
MTUM vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MTUM returned +24.12% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, MTUM is up 18.58% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, MTUM compounded at +27.94% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.57% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, MTUM has the edge at +14.65% annualized vs +6.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MTUM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.5% 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 -34.1% for MTUM 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MTUM charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MTUM currently yields 0.62% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of MTUM'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 127 positions we hold weights for in MTUM and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 130 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MTUM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.17% | 0.02% | 0.15% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MTUM 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, MTUM or VXUS?
MTUM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MTUM or VXUS?
Over the past year MTUM returned +24.12% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), MTUM annualized +14.65% vs +6.10% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MTUM or VXUS?
MTUM has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MTUM -34.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MTUM and VXUS?
MTUM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, MTUM or VXUS?
MTUM yields 0.62% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MTUM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MTUM 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.