NXTG vs VXUS
First Trust Indxx NextG ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NXTG or VXUS?
NXTG has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NXTG 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 | NXTG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $566M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 217 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +42.45%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +49.76%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.71%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.06%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,981Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 17, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
NXTG 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.
NXTG vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Indxx NextG ETF (NXTG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NXTG returned +49.76% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, NXTG is up 42.45% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, NXTG compounded at +32.71% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +17.06% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, NXTG has the edge at +12.02% annualized vs +4.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NXTG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 15.1% 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 -33.6% for NXTG 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NXTG charges 0.70% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $5 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NXTG currently yields 1.21% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 28.8% of NXTG'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.
NXTG and VXUS share little of their money.
35 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in NXTG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 217 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NXTG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6669:TWWiwynn Corp | 1.82% | 0.04% | 1.78% |
| 6758:JPSony Corporation | 1.55% | 0.31% | 1.24% |
| 6701:JPOrdinary Shares | 1.60% | 0.08% | 1.52% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 1.23% | 0.35% | 0.88% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 1.41% | 0.13% | 1.28% |
| TCS:MBTata Consultancy Services Ltd | 1.45% | 0.06% | 1.39% |
| TECHM:MBTech Mahindra Ltd | 1.43% | 0.02% | 1.41% |
| UMC:TWUnited Microelectron-Sp Adr | 1.41% | 0.00% | 1.41% |
| 0NUX:MIPrysmian S.p.A. | 1.15% | 0.09% | 1.06% |
| ERICB:STEricsson B | 1.12% | 0.06% | 1.06% |
28.8% of NXTG is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NXTG or VXUS?
NXTG has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NXTG or VXUS?
Over the past year NXTG returned +49.76% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so NXTG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NXTG annualized +12.02% vs +4.65% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NXTG or VXUS?
NXTG has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: NXTG -33.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NXTG and VXUS?
NXTG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 NXTG and VXUS?
At least 28.8% of NXTG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in NXTG and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, NXTG or VXUS?
NXTG yields 1.21% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NXTG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NXTG 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.