TUGN vs VXUS
STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, TUGN or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | TUGN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $85M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.55% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 102 | 8,844 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $17,995 | $18,369Best |
| Fund Family | Gateway Credit Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 18, 2022 | 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 43 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. TUGN has data through Aug 20, 2026 and VXUS through Oct 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2022 to Aug 20, 2026 (4.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TUGN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 15.4% 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 -23.4% for TUGN and -19.3% 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TUGN charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TUGN currently yields 11.55% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.3% of TUGN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
TUGN and VXUS share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in TUGN and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 102 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TUGN 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, TUGN or VXUS?
TUGN has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, TUGN or VXUS?
TUGN has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: TUGN -23.4% vs VXUS -19.3%.
Should I hold both TUGN and VXUS?
TUGN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 TUGN and VXUS?
At least 1.3% of TUGN'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 98 positions we hold weights for in TUGN and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, TUGN or VXUS?
TUGN yields 11.55% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so TUGN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than TUGN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.