RND vs VXUS
First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RND or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RND 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 | RND | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 100 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.31% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.24% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.5% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $16,842Best | $15,795 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (2.4 years).
RND 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 2.4 years both funds cover.
RND vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RND returned +12.24% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, RND is up 8.31% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 11.3% 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 -23.5% for RND 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RND charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RND currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 49 holdings in RND and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 88.8% 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 49 positions we hold weights for in RND and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 100 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RND 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, RND or VXUS?
RND has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RND or VXUS?
Over the past year RND returned +12.24% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RND annualized +24.26% vs +20.98% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RND or VXUS?
RND has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 11.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: RND -23.5% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both RND and VXUS?
RND and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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, RND or VXUS?
RND yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RND?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RND 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.