RXL vs VXUS
ProShares Ultra Health Care vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RXL or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RXL led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 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 | RXL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $97M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.29% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 67 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.41%Best | +14.94% |
| 1Y Return | +47.19%Best | +21.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.17% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.10% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,225 | $15,728Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | 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 22, 2026 (15.6 years).
RXL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
RXL vs VXUS Performance
ProShares Ultra Health Care (RXL) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RXL returned +47.19% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, RXL is up 15.41% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, RXL compounded at +13.17% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +4.10% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, RXL has the edge at +20.70% annualized vs +4.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.0% 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 -51.0% for RXL 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RXL charges 0.95% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $5 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RXL currently yields 1.29% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 60 holdings in RXL and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 76.7% 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 60 positions we hold weights for in RXL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 67 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RXL 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, RXL or VXUS?
RXL has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RXL or VXUS?
Over the past year RXL returned +47.19% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so RXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), RXL annualized +20.70% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RXL or VXUS?
RXL has been the more volatile fund at 28.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: RXL -51.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both RXL and VXUS?
RXL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, RXL or VXUS?
RXL yields 1.29% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RXL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RXL led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.