VXUS vs XMHQ
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XMHQ?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, XMHQ over 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 | XMHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $5.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.55% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 82 |
| YTD Return | +12.57%Best | +10.81% |
| 1Y Return | +19.71%Best | +9.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.25%Best | +14.28% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.59% | +10.02%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 16.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -37.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,099 | $16,120Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 1, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 15, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs XMHQ 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XMHQ Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (XMHQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +19.71% while XMHQ returned +9.42%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.57% versus a gain of 10.81% for XMHQ.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.25% per year against +14.28% for XMHQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.59% and +10.02% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XMHQ has the edge at +10.94% annualized vs +4.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XMHQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 15.0% 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 -37.2% for XMHQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XMHQ charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $25 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 0.55% for XMHQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of XMHQ'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 81 in XMHQ, against full books of 8,747 and 82.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XMHQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.01% | 0.73% | 0.72% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XMHQ 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 XMHQ?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XMHQ charges 0.25%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XMHQ?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.71% vs +9.42% for XMHQ, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.71% vs +10.94% for XMHQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XMHQ?
XMHQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XMHQ -37.2%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XMHQ?
VXUS and XMHQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 XMHQ?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XMHQ yields 0.55%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XMHQ better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, XMHQ over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.