VRAI vs VXUS
Virtus Real Asset Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VRAI or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VRAI led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VRAI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.80% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 91 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +23.71%Best | +14.48% |
| 1Y Return | +23.10%Best | +22.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.97% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.76% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,869 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2019 to Sep 11, 2026 (7.6 years).
VRAI 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 7.6 years both funds cover.
VRAI vs VXUS Performance
Virtus Real Asset Income ETF (VRAI) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VRAI returned +23.10% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, VRAI is up 23.71% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, VRAI compounded at +12.97% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.76% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.94% annualized vs +5.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VRAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 15.9% 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 -48.9% for VRAI and -35.1% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VRAI charges 0.55% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $5 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VRAI currently yields 2.80% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 9.8% of VRAI'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.
VRAI and VXUS share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in VRAI and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 91 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VRAI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELShell plc | 1.19% | 0.48% | 0.71% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 1.15% | 0.18% | 0.97% |
| SCLStepan Co | 1.29% | 0.00% | 1.29% |
| CVE:CACenovus Energy, Inc. | 1.16% | 0.07% | 1.09% |
| ENIC:CLEnersis Sa Adr | 1.06% | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| TSTenaris S.a., Adr | 1.06% | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.97% | 0.01% | 0.96% |
| TCELL:TRTurkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri As | 0.96% | 0.01% | 0.95% |
| TIMB:BVTim Sa American Depositary Shares (Each Representing 5 Common Shares) | 0.92% | 0.00% | 0.92% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VRAI 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, VRAI or VXUS?
VRAI has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VRAI or VXUS?
Over the past year VRAI returned +23.10% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VRAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), VRAI annualized +5.47% vs +9.94% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VRAI or VXUS?
VRAI has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 15.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VRAI -48.9% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both VRAI and VXUS?
VRAI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 VRAI and VXUS?
At least 9.8% of VRAI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in VRAI and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VRAI or VXUS?
VRAI yields 2.80% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VRAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VRAI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VRAI led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.