VPL vs VXUS
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VPL or VXUS?
VPL has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VPL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | VPL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $8.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.61% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,342 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +27.30%Best | +13.64% |
| 1Y Return | +35.43%Best | +20.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.39%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.07%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,156Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 4, 2005 | 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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
VPL 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.
VPL vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VPL returned +35.43% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, VPL is up 27.30% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, VPL compounded at +22.39% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.07% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VPL has the edge at +7.80% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VPL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% 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 -32.9% for VPL 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VPL charges 0.07% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VPL currently yields 2.61% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 90.4% of VPL'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.
Most of VPL is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
2,175 positions in common, counted across the 2,313 positions we hold weights for in VPL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 2,342 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VPL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 6.53% | 1.80% | 4.73% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 5.12% | 1.41% | 3.71% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 1.97% | 0.54% | 1.43% |
| CBA:AUCommonwealth Bank Of Australia | 1.70% | 0.47% | 1.23% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd - Adr | 1.74% | 0.31% | 1.43% |
| 8316:JPSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. Shs | 1.26% | 0.35% | 0.91% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd. Com Stk | 1.20% | 0.33% | 0.87% |
| 6501:JPHitachi Ltd | 1.18% | 0.32% | 0.86% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 1.16% | 0.32% | 0.84% |
| 6758:JPSony Corp | 1.12% | 0.31% | 0.81% |
90.4% of VPL is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VPL or VXUS?
VPL has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VPL or VXUS?
Over the past year VPL returned +35.43% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VPL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VPL annualized +7.80% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VPL or VXUS?
VPL has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VPL -32.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VPL and VXUS?
VPL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VPL and VXUS?
At least 90.4% of VPL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2,175 positions in common, counted across the 2,313 positions we hold weights for in VPL and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VPL or VXUS?
VPL yields 2.61% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VPL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VPL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VPL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.