HFXI vs. VTIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HFXI (IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF) and VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - HFXI tracks the FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index while VTIAX tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HFXI returned 11.98%/yr vs 10.47%/yr for VTIAX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HFXI charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTIAX.

Performance

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with HFXI having a 16.19% return and VTIAX slightly lower at 15.81%. Over the past 10 years, HFXI has outperformed VTIAX with an annualized return of 11.98%, while VTIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.47% annualized return.

HFXI

• 1D: -3.31%
• 1M: 1.55%
• YTD: 16.19%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 34.83%
• 3Y*: 20.40%
• 5Y*: 12.02%
• 10Y*: 11.98%

VTIAX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.27%
• YTD: 15.81%
• 6M: 15.70%
• 1Y: 33.45%
• 3Y*: 20.02%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

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

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	16.19%	30.10%	7.58%	19.56%	-10.71%	13.96%	6.88%	23.67%	-12.69%	22.68%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.81%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%

Correlation

The correlation between HFXI and VTIAX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2015	0.89

The correlation between HFXI and VTIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HFXI	VTIAX
Financial Services	22.8%	22.3%
Industrials	20.1%	16.1%
Technology	14.6%	18.1%
Healthcare	9.5%	7.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	5.0%
Basic Materials	5.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.6%	5.2%
Utilities	3.6%	3.2%
Communication Services	3.5%	4.4%
Real Estate	2.5%	2.6%

Return for Risk

HFXI vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HFXI

HFXI Risk / Return Rank: 71
HFXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
HFXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
HFXI Omega Ratio Rank: 75
HFXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
HFXI Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). 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.

	HFXI	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.28	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	3.07	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	3.05	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.64	11.84	+0.80

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HFXI Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HFXI and VTIAX, 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

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HFXI drawdown since its inception was -32.42%, smaller than the maximum VTIAX drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HFXI and VTIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HFXI	VTIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.42%	-35.83%	+3.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.84%	-11.28%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.52%	-13.13%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.35%	-29.52%	+7.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.42%	-35.83%	+3.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.31%	0.00%	-3.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.44%	-8.06%	+2.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	2.90%	-0.14%

Volatility

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) has a higher volatility of 7.21% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) at 6.02%. This indicates that HFXI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HFXI	VTIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.21%	6.02%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.05%	13.03%	+1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.00%	15.10%	+0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.12%	15.21%	-0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.57%	15.95%	+0.62%

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HFXI has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIAX's 0.09% 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

HFXI vs. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

HFXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than VTIAX's 2.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	3.33%	4.19%	2.68%	2.49%	4.65%	3.10%	2.00%	3.19%	4.33%	2.56%	2.71%	0.78%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.48%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HFXI and VTIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, HFXI and VTIAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, HFXI or VTIAX?

HFXI has higher volatility (7.21%) compared to VTIAX (6.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HFXI dropped -32.42% vs VTIAX's -35.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.19), 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.