USAF vs VXUS
Atlas America Fund ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, USAF or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | USAF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.42% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 73 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +3.27% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.01% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.0%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.5%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $11,307 | $14,600Best |
| Fund Family | Atlas Capital Team | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 20, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
USAF 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
USAF vs VXUS Performance
Atlas America Fund ETF (USAF) is an ETF from Atlas Capital Team and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USAF returned +3.01% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, USAF is up 3.27% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 5.0% for USAF. 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 -4.5% for USAF and -13.6% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USAF charges 0.89% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $5 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USAF currently yields 2.42% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 62 holdings in USAF and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 96.9% and 91.3% of the two funds. That is not enough of VXUS to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in USAF and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 73 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in USAF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSRCenterspace | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USAF 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, USAF or VXUS?
USAF has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USAF or VXUS?
Over the past year USAF returned +3.01% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), USAF annualized +6.68% vs +22.04% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USAF or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 5.0% for USAF. Worst drawdown: USAF -4.5% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both USAF and VXUS?
USAF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, USAF or VXUS?
USAF yields 2.42% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so USAF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than USAF?
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.