VEXAX vs. VXUS
VEXAX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - VEXAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, VEXAX returned 12.23%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for VXUS. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEXAX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.
Performance
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VEXAX having a 13.86% return and VXUS slightly lower at 13.69%. Over the past 10 years, VEXAX has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 12.23%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.22% annualized return.
VEXAX
- 1D
- 2.96%
- 1M
- 4.32%
- YTD
- 13.86%
- 6M
- 11.70%
- 1Y
- 27.36%
- 3Y*
- 18.98%
- 5Y*
- 6.06%
- 10Y*
- 12.23%
VXUS
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 0.71%
- YTD
- 13.69%
- 6M
- 15.52%
- 1Y
- 28.39%
- 3Y*
- 18.37%
- 5Y*
- 8.32%
- 10Y*
- 10.22%
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 13.86% | 11.42% | 15.47% | 26.95% | -26.46% | 12.45% | 32.22% | 28.03% | -9.37% | 18.11% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 13.69% | 32.35% | 5.08% | 15.86% | -16.08% | 8.98% | 10.66% | 21.75% | -14.43% | 27.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between VEXAX and VXUS is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011 | 0.77 |
The correlation between VEXAX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VEXAX
VXUS
Technology
Industrials
Financial Services
Healthcare
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Energy
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Technology
VEXAX
VXUS
Industrials
VEXAX
VXUS
Financial Services
VEXAX
VXUS
Healthcare
VEXAX
VXUS
Consumer Cyclical
VEXAX
VXUS
Real Estate
VEXAX
VXUS
Energy
VEXAX
VXUS
Basic Materials
VEXAX
VXUS
Communication Services
VEXAX
VXUS
Consumer Defensive
VEXAX
VXUS
Utilities
VEXAX
VXUS
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Return for Risk
VEXAX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank
VEXAX
VXUS
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) 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.
| VEXAX | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.33 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.65 | 2.53 | +0.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.32 | 9.72 | -0.41 |
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Drawdowns
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEXAX drawdown since its inception was -58.08%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXAX and VXUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VEXAX | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.08% | -35.97% | -22.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.25% | -11.27% | +1.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.84% | -13.58% | -13.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.33% | -29.44% | -6.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.62% | -35.97% | -5.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.04% | -1.47% | +0.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.17% | -8.21% | -3.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.92% | 2.93% | -0.01% |
Volatility
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) have volatilities of 6.48% and 6.71%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VEXAX | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.48% | 6.71% | -0.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.35% | 14.02% | -0.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.81% | 16.09% | +1.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.43% | 16.21% | +6.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.40% | 17.20% | +5.20% |
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
VEXAX has a 0.06% 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
VEXAX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison
VEXAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than VXUS's 2.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.02% | 1.14% | 1.09% | 1.25% | 1.15% | 1.13% | 1.07% | 1.30% | 1.66% | 1.25% | 1.43% | 1.35% |
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
VEXAX and VXUS have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXUS has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to VEXAX (6.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEXAX dropped -58.08% vs VXUS's -35.97%.
VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.53), 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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