TBLU vs VXUS
Tortoise Global Water Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, TBLU or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TBLU 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 | TBLU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.49% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 64 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.79% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.78% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.11% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.96% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,570 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | Tortoise Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2017 to Sep 21, 2026 (9.6 years).
TBLU 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 9.6 years both funds cover.
TBLU vs VXUS Performance
Tortoise Global Water Fund (TBLU) is an ETF from Tortoise Capital and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TBLU returned -3.78% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, TBLU is down 2.79% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, TBLU compounded at +11.11% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.96% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, TBLU has the edge at +8.46% annualized vs +8.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TBLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 15.2% 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 -37.6% for TBLU 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TBLU charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TBLU currently yields 3.49% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 39.1% of TBLU'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
22 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in TBLU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 64 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TBLU | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIE:PAVie Fp Veolia Environnement Sa | 6.69% | 0.06% | 6.63% |
| GEBN:SMGeberit Ag Registered | 4.26% | 0.05% | 4.21% |
| UU:LNUnited Utilities Group PLC | 4.05% | 0.03% | 4.02% |
| SBSP3:BVCompanhia De Saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo-Sabesp American Depositary Shares (Each Repstg 250 Common Shares) | 3.68% | 0.00% | 3.68% |
| SVT:LNSevern Trent Plc | 3.65% | 0.02% | 3.63% |
| BEAN:SMBelimo Holding Ag | 3.40% | 0.02% | 3.38% |
| STN:CAStantec Inc | 2.83% | 0.02% | 2.81% |
| GF:SMGeorg Fischer AG | 1.79% | 0.01% | 1.78% |
| 6370:JPKurita Water Industries Ltd | 1.73% | 0.01% | 1.72% |
| 5938:JPLixil Corp | 1.08% | 0.01% | 1.07% |
39.1% of TBLU 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, TBLU or VXUS?
TBLU has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TBLU or VXUS?
Over the past year TBLU returned -3.78% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), TBLU annualized +8.46% vs +8.09% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TBLU or VXUS?
TBLU has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 15.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: TBLU -37.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both TBLU and VXUS?
TBLU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 TBLU and VXUS?
At least 39.1% of TBLU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in TBLU and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, TBLU or VXUS?
TBLU yields 3.49% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so TBLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than TBLU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TBLU 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.