VXUS vs ZTOP
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs F/m High Yield 100 ETF
Which is better, VXUS or ZTOP?
Large Cap Blend against High Yield Bond.
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 | ZTOP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.39% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 6.26% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +12.82%Best | +1.27% |
| 1Y Return | +19.86%Best | +2.51% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.46% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7% | 3.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -11.3% | -2.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $14,485Best | $10,992 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | F-m investments |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Apr 14, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 15, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.4 years).
VXUS vs ZTOP 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs ZTOP Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and F/m High Yield 100 ETF (ZTOP) is an ETF from F-m investments. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% while ZTOP returned +2.51%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a gain of 1.27% for ZTOP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 3.1% for ZTOP. 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 -11.3% for VXUS and -2.5% for ZTOP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while ZTOP charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $39 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 6.26% for ZTOP.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 75 in ZTOP, totalling 88.8% and 72.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 75 in ZTOP, against full books of 8,747 and 103.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in ZTOP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIN:AUMineral Resources Ltd 9.25% 01Oct2028 | 0.02% | 0.96% | 0.94% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and ZTOP 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 ZTOP?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while ZTOP charges 0.39%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or ZTOP?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs +2.51% for ZTOP, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VXUS annualized +30.30% vs +6.99% for ZTOP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or ZTOP?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 3.1% for ZTOP. Worst drawdown: VXUS -11.3% vs ZTOP -2.5%.
Should I hold both VXUS and ZTOP?
VXUS and ZTOP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 ZTOP?
VXUS yields 2.51% while ZTOP yields 6.26%, so ZTOP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZTOP 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.