REIT vs VXUS
ALPS Active REIT ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, REIT or VXUS?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | REIT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.66% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 30 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.83%Best | +15.71% |
| 1Y Return | +15.41% | +25.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.84% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.50% | +9.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.3%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,877 | $15,535Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 24, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2021 to Sep 8, 2026 (5.5 years).
REIT 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
REIT vs VXUS Performance
ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year REIT returned +15.41% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, REIT is up 15.83% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Over three years, REIT compounded at +10.84% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.50% and +9.21% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.92% annualized vs +7.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
REIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 14.5% 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 -29.3% for REIT and -29.4% 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
REIT charges 0.68% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $5 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, REIT currently yields 2.66% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 29 holdings in REIT and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 98.7% and 87.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in REIT and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 30 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 29 and 8,092 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 50 positions REIT does not, 2.4% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.48%, IBDRY 0.37%, ASX 0.16%, BALN 3.4 04/15/30 14 0.16%, PRYMY 0.11%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of REIT 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, REIT or VXUS?
REIT has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, REIT or VXUS?
Over the past year REIT returned +15.41% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), REIT annualized +7.31% vs +9.92% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, REIT or VXUS?
REIT has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: REIT -29.3% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both REIT and VXUS?
REIT 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, REIT or VXUS?
REIT yields 2.66% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so REIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than REIT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.