RING vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RING or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RING led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | RING | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 53 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.19% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +30.70%Best | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +56.88%Best | +20.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +29.34%Best | +8.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.6% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $36,196Best | $15,295 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2012 to Sep 23, 2026 (14.6 years).
RING 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
RING vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RING returned +30.70% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, RING is up 12.19% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, RING compounded at +56.88% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +29.34% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.76% annualized vs +3.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RING has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.6% compared with 14.4% 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 -80.2% for RING 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 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RING charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RING currently yields 1.37% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.5% of RING'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.
Most of RING is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
31 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in RING and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 53 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RING | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEM:CAAgnico Eagle Mines Ltd | 12.13% | 0.17% | 11.96% |
| ABX:CABarrick Gold Corp | 8.25% | 0.08% | 8.17% |
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | 7.35% | 0.11% | 7.24% |
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 4.64% | 0.08% | 4.56% |
| GFI:ZAGold Fields Ltd Common Stock Zar.5 | 4.58% | 0.06% | 4.52% |
| KGC:CAKinross Gold Corp | 4.50% | 0.06% | 4.44% |
| PAAS:CAPan American Silver Corp. | 3.20% | 0.04% | 3.16% |
| AGI:CAAlamos Gold Inc Ord Cad Npv Cl A | 2.49% | 0.03% | 2.46% |
| EQX:CAEquinox Gold Corp | 2.49% | 0.02% | 2.47% |
| IMG:CAIamgold Corp | 2.13% | 0.02% | 2.11% |
73.5% of RING 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, RING or VXUS?
RING has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RING or VXUS?
Over the past year RING returned +30.70% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so RING leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), RING annualized +3.98% vs +5.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RING or VXUS?
RING has been the more volatile fund at 38.6% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: RING -80.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both RING and VXUS?
RING and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, 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 RING and VXUS?
At least 73.5% of RING's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in RING and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, RING or VXUS?
RING yields 1.37% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RING?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RING led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.