USMV vs VXUS
iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, USMV or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. USMV led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | USMV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $24.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 170 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.80% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.23% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.81% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.06% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.2%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.1%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,065 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.9 years).
USMV 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
USMV vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USMV returned +6.23% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, USMV is up 6.80% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, USMV compounded at +11.81% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.06% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, USMV has the edge at +10.25% annualized vs +6.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 11.2% for USMV. 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 -33.1% for USMV 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USMV charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USMV currently yields 1.42% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.5% of USMV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
USMV and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in USMV and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 170 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USMV 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, USMV or VXUS?
USMV has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USMV or VXUS?
Over the past year USMV returned +6.23% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), USMV annualized +10.25% vs +6.07% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USMV or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 11.2% for USMV. Worst drawdown: USMV -33.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both USMV and VXUS?
USMV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 USMV and VXUS?
At least 1.5% of USMV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in USMV and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, USMV or VXUS?
USMV yields 1.42% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than USMV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. USMV led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.