Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFWSX) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative mutual funds from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VFWSX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VFWSX
VFWSX charges 0.08% annually. There are 18 mutual funds in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.01%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Series Global ex U.S. Index Fund | 0.01% | — | Sep 2009 | VFWSX vs FSGEX | |
| Fidelity Series International Growth Fund | 0.01% | — | Dec 2009 | VFWSX vs FIGSX | |
| Fidelity Series International Value Fund | 0.01% | — | Dec 2009 | VFWSX vs FINVX | |
| Fidelity Series Overseas Fund | 0.01% | — | Jun 2019 | VFWSX vs FSOSX | |
| Fidelity Series International Index Fund | 0.01% | — | Aug 2018 | VFWSX vs FHLFX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VFWSX
VFWSX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 52. There are 102 mutual funds in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 94.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touchstone International Equity Fund | 94 | — | Mar 1993 | VFWSX vs SWRLX | |
| American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fu... | 94 | — | Aug 1994 | VFWSX vs TIVFX | |
| Dunham International Stock Fund | 92 | — | Dec 2004 | VFWSX vs DCINX | |
| GMO Tax-Managed International Equities Fund | 91 | — | Jul 1998 | VFWSX vs GTMIX | |
| Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund | 91 | — | Jul 2006 | VFWSX vs THOIX |
Top Performing VFWSX Alternatives (YTD)
VFWSX is at 12.81% YTD. There are 134 mutual funds in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 40.47%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fu... | 40.47% | — | Aug 1994 | VFWSX vs TIVFX | |
| Calamos International Growth Fund | 38.33% | — | Mar 2005 | VFWSX vs CIGIX | |
| Lord Abbett International Growth Fund | 33.43% | — | Jun 2021 | VFWSX vs LIAGX | |
| Fidelity SAI International SMA Completion Fund | 32.58% | — | Apr 2019 | VFWSX vs FISZX | |
| Dunham International Stock Fund | 27.12% | — | Dec 2004 | VFWSX vs DCINX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VFWSX
VFWSX has 15.61% 1-year volatility. There are 214 mutual funds in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.76%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class Z | 8.76% | — | Feb 2017 | VFWSX vs FAOSX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A | 8.76% | — | Sep 1996 | VFWSX vs FAOAX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class C | 8.76% | — | Nov 1997 | VFWSX vs FAOCX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class M | 8.78% | — | Apr 1990 | VFWSX vs FAERX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I | 8.78% | — | Jul 1995 | VFWSX vs FAOIX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VFWSX
VFWSX has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.34%. There are 146 mutual funds in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.94%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood AlphaFactor Tactical International Fund | -6.94% | — | Nov 2017 | VFWSX vs RWIIX | |
| Federated Hermes International Strategic Value Div... | -6.97% | — | Jun 2008 | VFWSX vs IVFIX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class Z | -7.26% | — | Feb 2017 | VFWSX vs FAOSX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I | -7.28% | — | Jul 1995 | VFWSX vs FAOIX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A | -7.29% | — | Sep 1996 | VFWSX vs FAOAX |
Other Mutual Funds from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard mutual funds shown here include VTSAX, VFIAX, VTIAX and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
Often Compared With VFWSX
Investors most often compare VFWSX with DFCEX, DFWIX, VOO. These 19 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VFWSX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VFWSX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VFWSX with funds that move differently
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VFWSX.
Explore VFWSX Diversifiers