RIFR vs VXUS
Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RIFR or VXUS?
Large Cap Value 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 | RIFR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.88% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 69 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.37% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.07% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.9%Best | 12.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.8%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $11,640 | $13,658Best |
| Fund Family | Russell Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 13, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.3 years).
RIFR 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
RIFR vs VXUS Performance
Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF (RIFR) is an ETF from Russell Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RIFR returned +11.07% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, RIFR is up 8.37% versus a gain of 14.48% 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 12.6% compared with 10.9% for RIFR. 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 -6.8% for RIFR and -11.3% 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RIFR charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RIFR currently yields 0.88% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 30.4% of RIFR'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 51 days apart, RIFR as of Aug 20, 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.
15 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in RIFR and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 69 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RIFR | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AENA:MAAena Sme Sa | 5.88% | 0.05% | 5.83% |
| TCL:AUTransurban Group | 4.27% | 0.07% | 4.20% |
| NG:LNNational Grid Plc | 2.89% | 0.18% | 2.71% |
| CNR:CACanadian National Railway Co | 2.36% | 0.14% | 2.22% |
| CLNX:MACellnex Telecom Sa | 2.42% | 0.04% | 2.38% |
| ADP:PAAeroports de Paris SA | 2.11% | 0.01% | 2.10% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 2.02% | 0.00% | 2.02% |
| FHZN:SMFlughafen Zurich Ag | 1.90% | 0.01% | 1.89% |
| AIA:NZAuckland International Airport Limited | 1.73% | 0.02% | 1.71% |
| GFL:CAGfl Environmental Inc. Tangible Equity Unit | 1.38% | 0.02% | 1.36% |
30.4% of RIFR 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, RIFR or VXUS?
RIFR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RIFR or VXUS?
Over the past year RIFR returned +11.07% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), RIFR annualized +12.39% vs +27.10% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RIFR or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.6% annualized versus 10.9% for RIFR. Worst drawdown: RIFR -6.8% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both RIFR and VXUS?
RIFR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 RIFR and VXUS?
At least 30.4% of RIFR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in RIFR and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, RIFR or VXUS?
RIFR yields 0.88% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RIFR?
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.