UYG vs VXUS
ProShares Ultra Financials vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, UYG or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. UYG 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 | UYG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.94% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $813M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.91% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 89 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +3.80% | +13.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.84% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +31.01%Best | +19.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.32%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 34.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,687Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | 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 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
UYG 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.
UYG vs VXUS Performance
ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UYG returned +7.84% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, UYG is up 3.80% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, UYG compounded at +31.01% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.32% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, UYG has the edge at +16.29% annualized vs +4.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UYG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.1% 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 -70.0% for UYG 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UYG charges 0.94% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $94 vs $5 annually, a gap of $89 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UYG currently yields 10.91% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 76 holdings in UYG and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 62.2% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in UYG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 89 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UYG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.24% | 0.05% | 0.19% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UYG 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, UYG or VXUS?
UYG has an expense ratio of 0.94% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $89 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UYG or VXUS?
Over the past year UYG returned +7.84% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), UYG annualized +16.29% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UYG or VXUS?
UYG has been the more volatile fund at 34.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: UYG -70.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both UYG and VXUS?
UYG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, UYG or VXUS?
UYG yields 10.91% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so UYG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than UYG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. UYG 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.