RFDA vs VXUS
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RFDA or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 3Y, 5Y and 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 | RFDA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 79 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.53%Best | +13.64% |
| 1Y Return | +19.63% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.74%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.29%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,662Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 7, 2016 to Sep 17, 2026 (10.3 years).
RFDA 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
RFDA vs VXUS Performance
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFDA returned +19.63% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, RFDA is up 15.53% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, RFDA compounded at +19.74% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.29% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, RFDA has the edge at +12.28% annualized vs +7.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFDA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.8% 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 -34.8% for RFDA and -39.9% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFDA charges 0.52% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $5 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFDA currently yields 1.85% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.9% of RFDA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
RFDA and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 79 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RFDA 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, RFDA or VXUS?
RFDA has an expense ratio of 0.52% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFDA or VXUS?
Over the past year RFDA returned +19.63% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), RFDA annualized +12.28% vs +7.92% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFDA or VXUS?
RFDA has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: RFDA -34.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both RFDA and VXUS?
RFDA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 RFDA and VXUS?
At least 1.9% of RFDA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFDA or VXUS?
RFDA yields 1.85% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RFDA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.