FAN vs. VXUS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS).

FAN and VXUS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FAN is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index. It was launched on Jun 16, 2008. VXUS is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI All Country World ex USA Investable Market Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2011. Both FAN and VXUS are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FAN vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FAN vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF	20.86%	40.38%	-8.96%	-3.20%	-13.12%	-11.63%	61.16%	31.22%	-11.40%	16.30%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.32%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAN achieves a 20.86% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 2.32% return. Over the past 10 years, FAN has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 10.21%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 8.91% annualized return.

FAN

• 1D: 3.78%
• 1M: 1.10%
• YTD: 20.86%
• 6M: 29.13%
• 1Y: 67.06%
• 3Y*: 13.10%
• 5Y*: 3.29%
• 10Y*: 10.21%

VXUS

• 1D: 3.32%
• 1M: -7.90%
• YTD: 2.32%
• 6M: 7.01%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 15.50%
• 5Y*: 7.32%
• 10Y*: 8.91%

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

FAN vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAN has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.

FAN

First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF

VXUS

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

Return for Risk

FAN vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAN

FAN Risk / Return Rank: 97
FAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
FAN Omega Ratio Rank: 97
FAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FAN Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 86
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

FAN vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) 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.

	FAN	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.14	1.64	+1.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	2.26	+1.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.34	+0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.05	2.42	+3.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	23.11	9.37	+13.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAN vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAN Sharpe Ratio is 3.14, which is higher than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAN and VXUS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAN	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.14	1.64	+1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.47	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.52	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	0.35	-0.31

Correlation

The correlation between FAN and VXUS is 0.76, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

FAN vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

FAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than VXUS's 2.97% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF	1.03%	1.35%	1.52%	1.71%	1.50%	1.79%	0.84%	2.42%	2.67%	2.59%	6.04%	2.35%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.97%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Drawdowns

FAN vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAN drawdown since its inception was -79.84%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAN and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAN	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.84%	-35.97%	-43.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.66%	-11.27%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.47%	-29.44%	-10.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.29%	-35.97%	-10.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-8.33%	+8.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.45%	-8.29%	-37.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	2.91%	-0.12%

Volatility

FAN vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) have volatilities of 8.69% and 8.31%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAN	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.69%	8.31%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.55%	11.50%	+3.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.50%	17.19%	+4.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.26%	15.82%	+5.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.98%	17.09%	+3.89%