TPZ vs VXUS
Tortoise Essential Energy Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, TPZ or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TPZ led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | TPZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $120M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.15% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 35 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.2% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 14 years | $25,819Best | $14,014 |
| Fund Family | Tortoise Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 29, 2009 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 588 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. TPZ has data through Jan 28, 2025 and VXUS through Sep 8, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 14 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Jan 28, 2025 (14 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TPZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.2% compared with 15.3% 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 -78.1% for TPZ 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TPZ charges 0.85% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $5 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TPZ currently yields 3.15% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 10.4% of TPZ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
TPZ and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, TPZ as of Aug 18, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in TPZ and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 35 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TPZ 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, TPZ or VXUS?
TPZ has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, TPZ or VXUS?
TPZ has been the more volatile fund at 25.2% annualized versus 15.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: TPZ -78.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both TPZ and VXUS?
TPZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 TPZ and VXUS?
At least 10.4% of TPZ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in TPZ and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, TPZ or VXUS?
TPZ yields 3.15% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so TPZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than TPZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TPZ led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.