QTUM vs VXUS
Defiance Quantum ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QTUM or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QTUM 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 | QTUM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.80% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 179 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +31.65%Best | +14.48% |
| 1Y Return | +50.35%Best | +22.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +45.00%Best | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +24.27%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.1% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,637Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 4, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 5, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (8 years).
QTUM 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 8 years both funds cover.
QTUM vs VXUS Performance
Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QTUM returned +50.35% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, QTUM is up 31.65% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, QTUM compounded at +45.00% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +24.27% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QTUM has the edge at +25.76% annualized vs +8.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QTUM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.1% compared with 16.2% 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 -38.5% for QTUM and -35.1% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QTUM charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QTUM currently yields 0.80% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 22.6% of QTUM'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.
QTUM and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, QTUM as of Sep 1, 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.
19 positions in common, counted across the 86 positions we hold weights for in QTUM and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 179 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QTUM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Adr Representing Nv | 1.16% | 1.70% | 0.54% |
| 3443:TWGlobal Unichip Corp | 1.80% | 0.03% | 1.77% |
| 6501:JPHitachi Ltd | 1.35% | 0.27% | 1.08% |
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc Common Stock TWD10.0 | 1.12% | 0.44% | 0.68% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd | 1.09% | 0.47% | 0.62% |
| 6701:JPNec Corp | 1.46% | 0.07% | 1.39% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd.[Abbn] | 1.16% | 0.37% | 0.79% |
| 2357:TWAsustek Computer Inc | 1.49% | 0.03% | 1.46% |
| REY:MIReply Spa | 1.44% | 0.01% | 1.43% |
| 9432:JPNtt Inc | 1.38% | 0.05% | 1.33% |
22.6% of QTUM 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, QTUM or VXUS?
QTUM has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QTUM or VXUS?
Over the past year QTUM returned +50.35% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so QTUM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), QTUM annualized +25.76% vs +8.64% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QTUM or VXUS?
QTUM has been the more volatile fund at 26.1% annualized versus 16.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: QTUM -38.5% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both QTUM and VXUS?
QTUM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 QTUM and VXUS?
At least 22.6% of QTUM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 86 positions we hold weights for in QTUM and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QTUM or VXUS?
QTUM yields 0.80% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QTUM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QTUM 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.