RAYJ vs VXUS
Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RAYJ or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RAYJ led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | RAYJ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.72% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $24M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.76% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 34 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.6% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $15,479Best | $15,125 |
| Fund Family | Rayliant Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 4, 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 36 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. RAYJ has data through Jul 30, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 4, 2024 to Jul 30, 2026 (2.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RAYJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 11.5% 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 -16.6% for RAYJ 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RAYJ charges 0.72% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $72 vs $5 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RAYJ currently yields 4.76% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 60.1% of RAYJ'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 61 days apart, RAYJ as of Apr 30, 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.
22 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in RAYJ and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 34 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RAYJ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 285A:JPKioxia Holdings Corporation | 5.11% | 0.43% | 4.68% |
| 3563:TKFood & Life Companies Ltd | 4.91% | 0.01% | 4.90% |
| 6383:JPDaifuku Co Ltd | 3.91% | 0.03% | 3.88% |
| 7936:JPAsics Corp | 3.70% | 0.04% | 3.66% |
| 5803:TKFujikura Ltd | 3.58% | 0.14% | 3.44% |
| 6501:JPHitachi Ltd | 3.29% | 0.27% | 3.02% |
| 7453:TKRyohin Keikaku Co. | 3.51% | 0.02% | 3.49% |
| 6361:TKEbara Corp | 3.45% | 0.04% | 3.41% |
| 4373:TKSimplex Holdings Inc | 3.38% | 0.00% | 3.38% |
| 5344:TKMaruwa Co. Ltd | 3.35% | 0.01% | 3.34% |
60.1% of RAYJ 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RAYJ or VXUS?
RAYJ has an expense ratio of 0.72% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, RAYJ or VXUS?
RAYJ has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 11.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: RAYJ -16.6% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both RAYJ and VXUS?
RAYJ 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.
What is the holdings overlap between RAYJ and VXUS?
At least 60.1% of RAYJ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in RAYJ and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, RAYJ or VXUS?
RAYJ yields 4.76% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so RAYJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RAYJ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RAYJ led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.