VO vs VXUS
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VO or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VO has a lower expense ratio. VO 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 | VO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $106.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 289 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.95% | +13.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.35% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.10% | +19.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.42% | +8.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,303 | $15,197Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | 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 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
VO 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.
VO vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VO returned +12.35% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, VO is up 10.95% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, VO compounded at +16.10% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.42% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VO has the edge at +10.32% annualized vs +4.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% 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 -39.7% for VO 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VO charges 0.03% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VO currently yields 1.30% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.4% of VO'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.
VO and VXUS share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 283 positions we hold weights for in VO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 289 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.22% | 0.76% | 0.54% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.56% | 0.00% | 0.56% |
| WCN:CAWaste Connections Inc Common Stock Cad 0 | 0.41% | 0.09% | 0.32% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.33% | 0.05% | 0.28% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.29% | 0.07% | 0.22% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.23% | 0.02% | 0.21% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VO 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, VO or VXUS?
VO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VO is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VO or VXUS?
Over the past year VO returned +12.35% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VO annualized +10.32% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VO or VXUS?
VO has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VO -39.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VO and VXUS?
VO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 VO and VXUS?
At least 2.4% of VO'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 283 positions we hold weights for in VO and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VO or VXUS?
VO yields 1.30% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VO?
VO has a lower expense ratio. VO 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.