VXUS vs WAR
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs US Global Technology And Aerospace & Defense ETF
Which is better, VXUS or WAR?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. WAR led over 1Y 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 | VXUS | WAR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.60% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $43M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 10.22% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 31 |
| YTD Return | +16.15% | +31.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +27.58% | +47.76%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.2%Best | 31.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6%Best | -25.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $15,668 | $17,600Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | U.S. Global Investors, Inc. |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 30, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 30, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.7 years).
VXUS vs WAR 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs WAR Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and US Global Technology And Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) is an ETF from U.S. Global Investors, Inc.. Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while WAR returned +47.76%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 31.28% for WAR.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WAR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.0% compared with 11.2% 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 -13.6% for VXUS and -25.0% for WAR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WAR charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $60 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.59% against 10.22% for WAR.
Holdings Overlap
At least 15.7% of WAR'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.
WAR and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026 and WAR as of Aug 19, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 8,094 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 29 in WAR, against full books of 8,747 and 31.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and WAR 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, VXUS or WAR?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WAR charges 0.60%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WAR?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +47.76% for WAR, so WAR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VXUS annualized +30.23% vs +39.45% for WAR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WAR?
WAR has been the more volatile fund at 31.0% annualized versus 11.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -13.6% vs WAR -25.0%.
Should I hold both VXUS and WAR?
VXUS and WAR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 VXUS and WAR?
At least 15.7% of WAR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 8,094 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 29 in WAR.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or WAR?
VXUS yields 2.59% while WAR yields 10.22%, so WAR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WAR better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. WAR led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.