VOT vs VXUS
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VOT or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOT 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 | VOT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Tie | 0.05%Tie |
| AUM | $19.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 129 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +5.22% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.02% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.09% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.45% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,432 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 17, 2006 | 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 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
VOT 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.
VOT vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOT returned +1.02% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, VOT is up 5.22% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, VOT compounded at +14.09% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +4.45% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOT has the edge at +10.65% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% 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 -37.2% for VOT 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOT charges 0.05% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $5 annually. On income, VOT currently yields 0.60% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.0% of VOT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VOT and VXUS share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 129 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOT 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, VOT or VXUS?
VOT has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VXUS charges 0.05%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VOT or VXUS?
Over the past year VOT returned +1.02% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VOT annualized +10.65% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOT or VXUS?
VOT has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VOT -37.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VOT and VXUS?
VOT 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.
What is the holdings overlap between VOT and VXUS?
At least 2.0% of VOT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOT or VXUS?
VOT yields 0.60% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VOT?
VOT 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.