VTHR vs VXUS
Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VTHR or VXUS?
VTHR has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VTHR led over 1Y, 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 | VTHR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.9B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 2,990 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +11.91%Best | +8.62% |
| 1Y Return | +13.84%Best | +13.32% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.66%Best | +20.17% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.20%Best | +7.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,003Best | $14,680 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2010 | 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 Oct 23, 2026 (15.7 years).
VTHR 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
VTHR vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTHR returned +13.84% while VXUS returned +13.32%. Year to date, VTHR is up 11.91% versus a gain of 8.62% for VXUS.
Over three years, VTHR compounded at +22.66% per year against +20.17% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.20% and +7.98% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTHR has the edge at +12.25% annualized vs +4.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.6% for VTHR. 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 -34.6% for VTHR 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTHR charges 0.06% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTHR currently yields 1.03% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.6% of VTHR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTHR and VXUS share little of their money.
33 positions in common, counted across the 2,960 positions we hold weights for in VTHR and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 2,990 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTHR | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.16% | 0.00% | 2.16% |
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 0.08% | 0.11% | 0.03% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.04% | 0.06% | 0.02% |
| QSRRestaurant Brands Int | 0.04% | 0.06% | 0.02% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| BAM:CABrookfield Asset Management Ltd. Cl A Ltd Vtg Shs | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| RAILFreightcar America Inc | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| JHXJames Hardie Industr | 0.01% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| RBARitchie Brothers Auctioneers, Inc. | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTHR 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, VTHR or VXUS?
VTHR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTHR or VXUS?
Over the past year VTHR returned +13.84% vs +13.32% for VXUS, so VTHR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VTHR annualized +12.25% vs +4.44% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTHR or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.6% for VTHR. Worst drawdown: VTHR -34.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VTHR and VXUS?
VTHR 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 VTHR and VXUS?
At least 2.6% of VTHR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 2,960 positions we hold weights for in VTHR and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTHR or VXUS?
VTHR yields 1.03% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VTHR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VTHR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.