TMF vs VXUS
Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, TMF or VXUS?
Trading-Leveraged Debt against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | TMF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.69% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 14 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -17.00% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -24.72% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -16.75% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -34.94% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -93.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $1,166 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Debt | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2009 | 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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
TMF 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.
TMF vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TMF returned -24.72% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, TMF is down 17.00% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, TMF compounded at -16.75% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -34.94% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs -5.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TMF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.6% 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 -93.7% for TMF 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 -0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TMF charges 0.90% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $5 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TMF currently yields 4.69% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in TMF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 98.3% 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 4 positions we hold weights for in TMF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 14 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TMF 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, TMF or VXUS?
TMF has an expense ratio of 0.90% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TMF or VXUS?
Over the past year TMF returned -24.72% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), TMF annualized -5.29% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TMF or VXUS?
TMF has been the more volatile fund at 40.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: TMF -93.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both TMF and VXUS?
TMF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.02, 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, TMF or VXUS?
TMF yields 4.69% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so TMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than TMF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.