QDEF vs VXUS
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QDEF or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QDEF led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | QDEF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $555M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.54% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 137 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.16% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.32% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.02%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,441Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 14, 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 19, 2012 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.7 years).
QDEF 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 13.7 years both funds cover.
QDEF vs VXUS Performance
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF (QDEF) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QDEF returned +15.16% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, QDEF is up 11.49% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, QDEF compounded at +19.32% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.02% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, QDEF has the edge at +10.50% annualized vs +5.73%.
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 13.4% for QDEF. 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 -36.2% for QDEF 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QDEF charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QDEF currently yields 1.54% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of QDEF'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 154 positions we hold weights for in QDEF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 137 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QDEF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEM:CAAgnico Eagle Mines Ltd | 0.70% | 0.17% | 0.53% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QDEF 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, QDEF or VXUS?
QDEF has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QDEF or VXUS?
Over the past year QDEF returned +15.16% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), QDEF annualized +10.50% vs +5.73% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QDEF or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 13.4% for QDEF. Worst drawdown: QDEF -36.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both QDEF and VXUS?
QDEF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, QDEF or VXUS?
QDEF yields 1.54% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QDEF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QDEF led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.