FLTW vs. VXUS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FLTW (Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLTW is a Taiwan Equities fund tracking the FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped Index, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLTW returned 18.91%/yr vs 8.78%/yr for VXUS. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FLTW charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

FLTW vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) 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, FLTW achieves a 53.07% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 12.75% return.

FLTW

• 1D: 3.38%
• 1M: -8.11%
• 6M: 41.10%
• YTD: 53.07%
• 1Y: 78.62%
• 3Y*: 36.54%
• 5Y*: 18.91%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.45%

VXUS

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 6.78%
• YTD: 12.75%
• 1Y: 27.56%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 8.78%
• 10Y*: 9.44%
• ALL TIME*: 6.55%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	$79.26M	$58.46M	$67.03M
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	$362.62M	$406.11M	$507.75M

FLTW vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	53.07%	32.00%	16.68%	30.05%	-27.51%	29.46%	29.77%	31.23%	-9.32%	-1.28%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	12.75%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between FLTW and VXUS is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.72

The correlation between FLTW and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLTW vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLTW	VXUS
Technology	77.2%	23.7%
Financial Services	12.5%	23.2%
Industrials	3.0%	14.5%
Basic Materials	2.9%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	1.6%	6.8%
Communication Services	1.3%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	4.8%
Healthcare	0.7%	6.8%
Energy	0.1%	4.2%
Real Estate	-	1.7%
Utilities	-	2.9%

Return for Risk

FLTW vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FLTW

FLTW Risk / Return Rank: 90
FLTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FLTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FLTW Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FLTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FLTW Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 71
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FLTW vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FLTW	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.62	+0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.24	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.30	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.73	2.42	+1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.39	8.87	+6.52

FLTW vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLTW Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLTW 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.

Drawdowns

FLTW vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLTW drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLTW and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLTW	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-35.97%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.34%	-11.27%	-10.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.45%	-13.58%	-12.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.00%	-29.44%	-8.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.83%	-2.84%	-11.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.43%	-8.16%	-0.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.16%	3.07%	+2.09%

Volatility

FLTW vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) has a higher volatility of 13.59% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) at 5.29%. This indicates that FLTW'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

	FLTW	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.59%	5.29%	+8.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.76%	15.06%	+13.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.00%	16.86%	+15.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.04%	16.35%	+7.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.60%	17.03%	+5.57%

FLTW vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLTW has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FLTW vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

FLTW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, less than VXUS's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	1.76%	2.51%	1.89%	2.85%	3.16%	2.31%	2.14%	3.00%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.59%	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 FLTW and VXUS in my portfolio?

FLTW and VXUS have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLTW or VXUS?

FLTW has higher volatility (13.59%) compared to VXUS (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLTW dropped -38.00% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, FLTW or VXUS?

On 5-year performance, FLTW leads with 18.91% vs 8.78% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VXUS has been the lower-risk option at 5.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLTW or VXUS?

Over the 5-year period, FLTW has performed better with a 18.91% return vs 8.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLTW or VXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for FLTW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLTW or VXUS?

VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 1.76% for FLTW.

What is the main difference between FLTW and VXUS?

FLTW is categorized as Taiwan Equities, while VXUS is Global Equities. FLTW tracks FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for FLTW and 0.05% for VXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLTW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.62), 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.