QHDG vs VXUS
Innovator Hedged Nasdaq-100 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QHDG or VXUS?
Market Neutral Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | QHDG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 106 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.8%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.3% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,106 | $14,577Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 19, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 62 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. QHDG has data through Jul 10, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 20, 2024 to Jul 10, 2026 (1.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 8.8% for QHDG. 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 -15.3% for QHDG and -13.6% 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QHDG charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QHDG currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.6% of QHDG'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.
QHDG and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, QHDG as of Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QHDG and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 106 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QHDG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Adr Representing Nv | 0.67% | 1.70% | 1.03% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc. | 0.80% | 0.31% | 0.49% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 0.38% | 0.13% | 0.25% |
| FER:ASFerrovial N.V. Ordinary Shares | 0.27% | 0.07% | 0.20% |
| CCEP:LNCoca-Cola European Partners PLC Shs Euro | 0.23% | 0.04% | 0.19% |
| TRI:CAThomson Reuters Corp | 0.22% | 0.02% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QHDG 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, QHDG or VXUS?
QHDG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, QHDG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 8.8% for QHDG. Worst drawdown: QHDG -15.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both QHDG and VXUS?
QHDG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 QHDG and VXUS?
At least 2.6% of QHDG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QHDG and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QHDG or VXUS?
QHDG yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QHDG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.