ROBT vs VXUS
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ROBT or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ROBT led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | ROBT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $770M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 244 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +14.29% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.70% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.45% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.92% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.5% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -37.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,998 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2018 to Sep 21, 2026 (8.6 years).
ROBT 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
ROBT vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) 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 ROBT returned +10.70% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, ROBT is up 14.29% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, ROBT compounded at +14.45% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.92% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, ROBT has the edge at +8.57% annualized vs +7.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ROBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.5% compared with 15.8% 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 -44.5% for ROBT and -37.2% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROBT charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROBT currently yields 0.02% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 19.0% of ROBT'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.
ROBT and VXUS share little of their money.
25 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 244 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ROBT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCCSCcc Intelligent Solutions Hold | 2.21% | 0.01% | 2.20% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 0.57% | 1.41% | 0.84% |
| NICENice Ltd | 1.64% | 0.01% | 1.63% |
| HEXA.B:STHexagon Ab (Class B) | 1.57% | 0.05% | 1.52% |
| OCDO:LNOcado Group Plc | 1.51% | 0.00% | 1.51% |
| SU:PASchneider Electric Se | 0.78% | 0.41% | 0.37% |
| 9880:SHUbtech Robotics Corp Ltd-H | 1.16% | 0.01% | 1.15% |
| 277810:KRRainbow Robotics | 1.01% | 0.01% | 1.00% |
| ABBN:SMABB Ltd. - Ordinary Shares | 0.65% | 0.34% | 0.31% |
| VALMT:FIValmet Oyj | 0.88% | 0.01% | 0.87% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ROBT 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, ROBT or VXUS?
ROBT has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ROBT or VXUS?
Over the past year ROBT returned +10.70% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), ROBT annualized +8.57% vs +7.03% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ROBT or VXUS?
ROBT has been the more volatile fund at 23.5% annualized versus 15.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ROBT -44.5% vs VXUS -37.2%.
Should I hold both ROBT and VXUS?
ROBT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 ROBT and VXUS?
At least 19.0% of ROBT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROBT or VXUS?
ROBT yields 0.02% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ROBT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ROBT led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.