USRD vs VXUS
Themes US R&D Champions ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, USRD 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 | USRD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.38% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 103 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.7% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $15,364 | $15,826Best |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2023 | 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 51 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. USRD has data through Jul 28, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2023 to Jul 28, 2026 (2.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USRD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 11.4% 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 -22.7% for USRD 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USRD charges 0.29% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $5 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USRD currently yields 0.38% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 51 holdings in USRD and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% 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 51 positions we hold weights for in USRD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 103 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USRD 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, USRD or VXUS?
USRD has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, USRD or VXUS?
USRD has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 11.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: USRD -22.7% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both USRD and VXUS?
USRD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, USRD or VXUS?
USRD yields 0.38% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than USRD?
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.