VFH vs VXUS
Vanguard Financials ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VFH or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VFH 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 | VFH | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $14.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.67% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 429 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.51% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.44% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.28%Best | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.48%Best | +8.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,460Best | $15,099 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 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 15, 2026 (15.6 years).
VFH 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.
VFH vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VFH returned +7.44% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, VFH is up 4.51% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, VFH compounded at +20.28% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.48% and +8.59% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VFH has the edge at +10.33% annualized vs +4.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VFH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% 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 -44.8% for VFH 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VFH charges 0.09% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $5 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VFH currently yields 1.67% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.3% of VFH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VFH and VXUS share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 418 positions we hold weights for in VFH and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 429 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VFH 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, VFH or VXUS?
VFH has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VFH or VXUS?
Over the past year VFH returned +7.44% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VFH annualized +10.33% vs +4.71% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VFH or VXUS?
VFH has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VFH -44.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VFH and VXUS?
VFH and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 VFH and VXUS?
At least 3.3% of VFH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 418 positions we hold weights for in VFH and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VFH or VXUS?
VFH yields 1.67% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VFH?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VFH 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.