QMAG vs VXUS
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QMAG or VXUS?
Multi Alternative 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 | QMAG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $80M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 10 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.71% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.33% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.4%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.4%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $12,844 | $14,739Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 16, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 19, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (2.1 years).
QMAG 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
QMAG vs VXUS Performance
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August (QMAG) 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 QMAG returned +12.33% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, QMAG is up 8.71% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 7.4% for QMAG. 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 -12.4% for QMAG 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QMAG charges 0.90% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $5 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QMAG currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QMAG 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, QMAG or VXUS?
QMAG has an expense ratio of 0.90% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QMAG or VXUS?
Over the past year QMAG returned +12.33% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QMAG annualized +12.66% vs +20.29% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QMAG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 7.4% for QMAG. Worst drawdown: QMAG -12.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both QMAG and VXUS?
QMAG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, QMAG or VXUS?
QMAG yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QMAG?
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.