VFMO vs VXUS
Vanguard US Momentum Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VFMO or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VFMO 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 | VFMO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.13% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.62% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 673 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.77%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +19.22% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.85%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.34%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.8%Best | -37.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,703Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 13, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2018 to Sep 18, 2026 (8.6 years).
VFMO 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
VFMO vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard US Momentum Factor ETF (VFMO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VFMO returned +19.22% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, VFMO is up 16.77% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, VFMO compounded at +25.85% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.34% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VFMO has the edge at +14.36% annualized vs +6.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VFMO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 15.8% 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 -36.8% for VFMO and -37.2% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VFMO charges 0.13% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $13 vs $5 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VFMO currently yields 0.62% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of VFMO'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.
VFMO and VXUS share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 694 positions we hold weights for in VFMO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 673 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VFMO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.17% | 0.76% | 0.59% |
| APA:AUSan Mateo Un High Sch Dist 02b | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.23% | 0.02% | 0.21% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.23% | 0.01% | 0.22% |
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 0.04% | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| SSRMSsr Mining Inc | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| AII:CAAlmonty Industries Inc | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VFMO 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, VFMO or VXUS?
VFMO has an expense ratio of 0.13% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VFMO or VXUS?
Over the past year VFMO returned +19.22% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VFMO annualized +14.36% vs +6.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VFMO or VXUS?
VFMO has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 15.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VFMO -36.8% vs VXUS -37.2%.
Should I hold both VFMO and VXUS?
VFMO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 VFMO and VXUS?
At least 1.1% of VFMO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 694 positions we hold weights for in VFMO and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VFMO or VXUS?
VFMO yields 0.62% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VFMO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VFMO 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.