ALKS vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALKS (Alkermes plc) is a stock, while VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) is Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, ALKS returned -0.52%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for VXUS. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ALKS vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alkermes plc (ALKS) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALKS achieves a 52.82% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 14.25% return. Over the past 10 years, ALKS has underperformed VXUS with an annualized return of -0.52%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.76% annualized return.

ALKS

• 1D: 3.48%
• 1M: 25.14%
• YTD: 52.82%
• 6M: 44.80%
• 1Y: 36.74%
• 3Y*: 13.16%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: -0.52%

VXUS

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 14.25%
• 6M: 16.92%
• 1Y: 32.01%
• 3Y*: 19.30%
• 5Y*: 8.46%
• 10Y*: 9.76%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ALKS vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALKS Alkermes plc	52.82%	-2.71%	3.68%	6.16%	12.34%	16.59%	-2.21%	-30.87%	-46.08%	-1.53%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	14.25%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between ALKS and VXUS is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011	0.34

The correlation between ALKS and VXUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ALKS vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ALKS

ALKS Risk / Return Rank: 68
ALKS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ALKS Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
ALKS Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ALKS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
ALKS Martin Ratio Rank: 68

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ALKS vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alkermes plc (ALKS) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ALKS	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	2.12	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	2.90	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.39	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.66	2.85	-1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.50	11.14	-7.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALKS vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALKS Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALKS and VXUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ALKS	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91	2.12	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.53	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.01	0.57	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.39	-0.29

Drawdowns

ALKS vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALKS drawdown since its inception was -96.14%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALKS and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALKS	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.14%	-35.97%	-60.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.20%	-11.27%	-10.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.58%	-13.58%	-18.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.18%	-29.44%	-3.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.58%	-35.97%	-44.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-56.39%	-0.99%	-55.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-67.25%	-8.22%	-59.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.54%	2.88%	+7.66%

Volatility

ALKS vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

Alkermes plc (ALKS) has a higher volatility of 13.20% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) at 5.60%. This indicates that ALKS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALKS	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.20%	5.60%	+7.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.12%	13.00%	+17.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.64%	15.21%	+25.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.32%	16.05%	+21.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.29%	17.16%	+24.13%

Dividends

ALKS vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

ALKS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALKS Alkermes plc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.66%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALKS and VXUS in my portfolio?

ALKS and VXUS have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALKS or VXUS?

ALKS has higher volatility (13.20%) compared to VXUS (5.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALKS dropped -96.14% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 0.91), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.