FRDM vs. VXUS
FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets 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, FRDM returned 18.68%/yr vs 8.32%/yr for VXUS. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.
Performance
FRDM vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FRDM achieves a 40.13% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 13.69% return.
FRDM
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 9.04%
- YTD
- 40.13%
- 6M
- 46.37%
- 1Y
- 87.32%
- 3Y*
- 34.29%
- 5Y*
- 18.68%
- 10Y*
- —
VXUS
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 3.09%
- YTD
- 13.69%
- 6M
- 15.52%
- 1Y
- 30.12%
- 3Y*
- 18.37%
- 5Y*
- 8.32%
- 10Y*
- 10.22%
FRDM vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 40.13% | 61.27% | 1.70% | 22.77% | -14.45% | 6.13% | 16.90% | 12.23% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 13.69% | 32.35% | 5.08% | 15.86% | -16.08% | 8.98% | 10.66% | 12.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between FRDM and VXUS is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019 | 0.84 |
The correlation between FRDM and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FRDM vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank
FRDM
VXUS
FRDM vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) 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.
| FRDM | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.54 | 1.33 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.02 | 2.53 | +2.49 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 19.36 | 9.72 | +9.64 |
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Drawdowns
FRDM vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and VXUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FRDM | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.49% | -35.97% | -4.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.87% | -11.27% | -5.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.87% | -13.58% | -3.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.25% | -29.44% | +0.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.97% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.36% | -1.47% | -2.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.09% | -8.21% | +1.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.37% | 2.93% | +1.44% |
Volatility
FRDM vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison
Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 14.27% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) at 6.71%. This indicates that FRDM'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.
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Volatility by Period
| FRDM | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.27% | 6.71% | +7.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.39% | 14.02% | +10.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.86% | 16.09% | +10.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.35% | 16.21% | +5.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.09% | 17.20% | +5.89% |
FRDM vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
FRDM vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison
FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, less than VXUS's 2.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 1.56% | 2.26% | 2.53% | 2.66% | 2.72% | 2.17% | 1.11% | 1.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 2.67% | 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
FRDM and VXUS have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FRDM has higher volatility (14.27%) compared to VXUS (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs VXUS's -35.97%.
On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 18.68% vs 8.32% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VXUS has been the lower-risk option at 6.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 18.68% return vs 8.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.
VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 1.56% for FRDM.
FRDM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while VXUS is Global Equities. FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.05% for VXUS.
FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 1.77), 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.
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