VFMV vs VXUS
Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VFMV or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VFMV 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 | VFMV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.13% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $437M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.75% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 204 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.16% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.05% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.04% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.00% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -37.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,386 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | 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 4, 2026 (8.6 years).
VFMV 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.
VFMV vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VFMV returned +11.05% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, VFMV is up 11.16% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, VFMV compounded at +15.04% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.00% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VFMV has the edge at +9.76% annualized vs +7.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 13.2% for VFMV. 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 -33.6% for VFMV 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VFMV 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, VFMV currently yields 1.75% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VFMV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in VFMV and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 204 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VFMV 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, VFMV or VXUS?
VFMV 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, VFMV or VXUS?
Over the past year VFMV returned +11.05% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VFMV annualized +9.76% vs +7.14% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VFMV or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.2% for VFMV. Worst drawdown: VFMV -33.6% vs VXUS -37.2%.
Should I hold both VFMV and VXUS?
VFMV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, VFMV or VXUS?
VFMV yields 1.75% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VFMV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VFMV 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.