USPX vs VXUS
Franklin US Equity Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, USPX or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
USPX has a lower expense ratio. USPX led over 3Y, 5Y and 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 | USPX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $2.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 487 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.40% | +15.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.01% | +27.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.36%Best | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.98%Best | +8.96% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,608Best | $15,358 |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 1, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 3, 2016 to Sep 3, 2026 (10.3 years).
USPX 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
USPX vs VXUS Performance
Franklin US Equity Index ETF (USPX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USPX returned +21.01% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, USPX is up 13.40% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, USPX compounded at +21.36% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.98% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, USPX has the edge at +10.92% annualized vs +8.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.0% for USPX. 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 -31.2% for USPX 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USPX charges 0.03% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USPX currently yields 1.09% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.6% of USPX'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
8 positions in common, counted across the 475 positions we hold weights for in USPX and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 487 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in USPX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 0.37% | 0.00% | 0.37% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.02% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| GMKN:RUMmc Norilsk Nickel Pjsc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| PLZL:RUPolyus Public Joint Stock Company | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| IRAO:RUInter Rao Ues Pjsc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USPX 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, USPX or VXUS?
USPX has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. USPX is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USPX or VXUS?
Over the past year USPX returned +21.01% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), USPX annualized +10.92% vs +8.29% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USPX or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.0% for USPX. Worst drawdown: USPX -31.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both USPX and VXUS?
USPX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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, USPX or VXUS?
USPX yields 1.09% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than USPX?
USPX has a lower expense ratio. USPX led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.