UAUG vs VXUS
Innovator US Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, UAUG or VXUS?
Option Writing 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 | UAUG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $239M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 6 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.68% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.09% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.38% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.20% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.7%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,830 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 31, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2019 to Sep 16, 2026 (7.1 years).
UAUG 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 7.1 years both funds cover.
UAUG vs VXUS Performance
Innovator US Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August (UAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UAUG returned +9.09% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, UAUG is up 6.68% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, UAUG compounded at +13.38% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.20% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.96% annualized vs +7.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 7.7% for UAUG. 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 -13.9% for UAUG and -35.1% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UAUG charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UAUG currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UAUG and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.3% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in UAUG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 6 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UAUG 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, UAUG or VXUS?
UAUG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UAUG or VXUS?
Over the past year UAUG returned +9.09% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), UAUG annualized +7.88% vs +9.96% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UAUG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 7.7% for UAUG. Worst drawdown: UAUG -13.9% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both UAUG and VXUS?
UAUG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, UAUG or VXUS?
UAUG yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than UAUG?
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.