VXUS vs XFLT
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust
Which is better, VXUS or XFLT?
Large Cap Blend against Bank Loan.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | VXUS | XFLT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 6.29% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $347M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 15.04% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +14.48%Best | -0.94% |
| 1Y Return | +22.28%Best | -11.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.00%Best | -1.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.91%Best | -0.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 25.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -64.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,323Best | $9,743 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | XA Investments LLC |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Bank Loan |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 27, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 27, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9 years).
VXUS vs XFLT 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 9 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XFLT Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust (XFLT) is an ETF from XA Investments LLC. Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% while XFLT returned -11.58%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.48% versus a loss of 0.94% for XFLT.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.00% per year against -1.64% for XFLT; over five years the annualized figures are +8.91% and -0.52% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.41% annualized vs -1.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XFLT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.6% compared with 15.6% 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 -39.9% for VXUS and -64.6% for XFLT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XFLT charges 6.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $629 annually, a gap of $624 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 15.04% for XFLT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,091 holdings in VXUS and 150 in XFLT, totalling 87.7% and 46.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026 and XFLT as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 150 in XFLT, against full books of 8,747 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XFLT 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 XFLT?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XFLT charges 6.29%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $624 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XFLT?
Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% vs -11.58% for XFLT, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VXUS annualized +7.41% vs -1.22% for XFLT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XFLT?
XFLT has been the more volatile fund at 25.6% annualized versus 15.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XFLT -64.6%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XFLT?
VXUS and XFLT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XFLT?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XFLT yields 15.04%, so XFLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XFLT better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.