VXUS vs YCS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs ProShares UltraShort Yen ETF
Which is better, VXUS or YCS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, YCS 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 | YCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $28M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +13.64%Best | +3.24% |
| 1Y Return | +20.82%Best | +20.75% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.58%Best | +13.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.14% | +22.61%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -39.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,485 | $27,710Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Nov 24, 2008 |
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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs YCS 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 YCS Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and ProShares UltraShort Yen ETF (YCS) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% while YCS returned +20.75%. Year to date, VXUS is up 13.64% versus a gain of 3.24% for YCS.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.58% per year against +13.10% for YCS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.14% and +22.61% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, YCS has the edge at +9.93% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% 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 -39.3% for YCS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.14. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while YCS charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $95 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 0.00% for YCS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 1 in YCS, totalling 88.8% and 25.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 1 in YCS, against full books of 8,747 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and YCS 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 YCS?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while YCS charges 0.95%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or YCS?
Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% vs +20.75% for YCS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.77% vs +9.93% for YCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or YCS?
YCS has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs YCS -39.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and YCS?
VXUS and YCS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.14, 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 YCS?
VXUS yields 2.51% while YCS yields 0.00%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YCS better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, YCS over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.