NAIL vs VXUS
Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NAIL 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 | NAIL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $547M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.83% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 54 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -31.11% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -60.61% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -18.82% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -15.83% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 86.6% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -93.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,225 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 19, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 19, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (11 years).
NAIL 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 11 years both funds cover.
NAIL vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X ETF (NAIL) 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 NAIL returned -60.61% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, NAIL is down 31.11% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, NAIL compounded at -18.82% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -15.83% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.25% annualized vs -0.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NAIL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 86.6% compared with 14.8% 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 -93.8% for NAIL 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NAIL charges 0.96% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $5 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NAIL currently yields 0.83% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 45 holdings in NAIL and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 93.9% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NAIL and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 54 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NAIL 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, NAIL or VXUS?
NAIL has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NAIL or VXUS?
Over the past year NAIL returned -60.61% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), NAIL annualized -0.86% vs +7.25% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NAIL or VXUS?
NAIL has been the more volatile fund at 86.6% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: NAIL -93.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NAIL and VXUS?
NAIL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, NAIL or VXUS?
NAIL yields 0.83% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NAIL?
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.