UTF vs VXUS
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund Inc vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, UTF or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. UTF 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 | UTF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.42% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3,053.86 | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.97% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 311 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.57% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.52% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.88% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.44% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,032 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Cohen & Steers Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 30, 2004 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
UTF 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
UTF vs VXUS Performance
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund Inc (UTF) is an ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UTF returned +9.52% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, UTF is up 8.57% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, UTF compounded at +14.88% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.44% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, UTF has the edge at +5.35% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UTF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 15.0% 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 -53.0% for UTF 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
UTF charges 3.42% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $342 vs $5 annually, a gap of $337 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UTF currently yields 6.97% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 241 holdings in UTF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 129.0% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 33 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, UTF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
33 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in UTF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 311 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UTF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRP:CATc Energy Corp | 6.02% | 0.16% | 5.86% |
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | 3.18% | 0.27% | 2.91% |
| NG:LNNational Grid Plc | 2.69% | 0.18% | 2.51% |
| CPLE3:BVCia Paranaense De Energia Common Stock | 2.37% | 0.01% | 2.36% |
| AENA:MAAena Sme Sa | 2.20% | 0.05% | 2.15% |
| PNN:LNPennon Group Plc | 2.09% | 0.01% | 2.08% |
| ASURB:MXGrupo Aeroportuario Del Sureste Sa De Cv | 1.96% | 0.01% | 1.95% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 1.83% | 0.00% | 1.83% |
| ALX:AUAtlas Arteria Ltd | 1.73% | 0.00% | 1.73% |
| TCL:AUTransurban Group | 1.62% | 0.07% | 1.55% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UTF 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, UTF or VXUS?
UTF has an expense ratio of 3.42% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $337 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UTF or VXUS?
Over the past year UTF returned +9.52% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), UTF annualized +5.35% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UTF or VXUS?
UTF has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: UTF -53.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both UTF and VXUS?
UTF 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, UTF or VXUS?
UTF yields 6.97% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so UTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than UTF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. UTF 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.