VXUS vs WISE
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF
Which is better, VXUS or WISE?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | WISE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $28M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 4.43% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +12.82%Best | -12.84% |
| 1Y Return | +19.86%Best | -17.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.46% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.1%Best | 30.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6%Best | -39.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $16,747Best | $14,319 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Themes ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 8, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 8, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.8 years).
VXUS vs WISE 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs WISE Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) is an ETF from Themes ETFs. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% while WISE returned -17.09%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a loss of 12.84% for WISE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WISE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.9% compared with 11.1% 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 -39.1% for WISE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WISE charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $35 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 4.43% for WISE.
Holdings Overlap
At least 9.9% of WISE'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.
WISE and VXUS share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 41 in WISE, against full books of 8,747 and 48.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and WISE 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 WISE?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WISE charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WISE?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs -17.09% for WISE, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WISE?
WISE has been the more volatile fund at 30.9% annualized versus 11.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -13.6% vs WISE -39.1%.
Should I hold both VXUS and WISE?
VXUS and WISE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, 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 WISE?
At least 9.9% of WISE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 41 in WISE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or WISE?
VXUS yields 2.51% while WISE yields 4.43%, so WISE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WISE better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.