RXI vs VXUS
iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RXI or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RXI 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 | RXI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $254M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 149 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -6.21% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.69% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.96% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.71% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,998 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
RXI 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
RXI vs VXUS Performance
iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF (RXI) 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 RXI returned -4.69% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, RXI is down 6.21% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, RXI compounded at +8.96% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.71% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, RXI has the edge at +8.96% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 15.0% 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 -35.8% for RXI 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RXI charges 0.37% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $5 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RXI currently yields 1.43% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.7% of RXI'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.
RXI and VXUS share little of their money.
50 positions in common, counted across the 132 positions we hold weights for in RXI and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 149 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RXI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 4.68% | 0.49% | 4.19% |
| 6758:JPSony Corp | 2.07% | 0.26% | 1.81% |
| CFR:SMCie Financiere Richemont SA | 1.96% | 0.27% | 1.69% |
| ITX:MAIndustria De Diseno Textil Sa | 1.13% | 0.16% | 0.97% |
| WES:AUWesfarmers Ltd | 1.09% | 0.16% | 0.93% |
| 6752:JPPanasonic Corp | 1.05% | 0.14% | 0.91% |
| 3690:SHMeituan-class B | 0.99% | 0.11% | 0.88% |
| PRX:ASProsus N.V. Shs | 0.95% | 0.12% | 0.83% |
| CPG:LNCompass Group Plc | 0.84% | 0.12% | 0.72% |
| RACE:MIFerrari NV | 0.74% | 0.10% | 0.64% |
24.7% of RXI 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, RXI or VXUS?
RXI has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RXI or VXUS?
Over the past year RXI returned -4.69% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), RXI annualized +8.96% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RXI or VXUS?
RXI has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: RXI -35.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both RXI and VXUS?
RXI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 RXI and VXUS?
At least 24.7% of RXI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 132 positions we hold weights for in RXI and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, RXI or VXUS?
RXI yields 1.43% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RXI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RXI 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.