VFWPX vs. VXUS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VFWPX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS).

VFWPX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 16, 2010. 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.

Performance

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VFWPX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFWPX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	-1.03%	32.40%	5.48%	15.63%	-15.47%	8.13%	11.40%	21.59%	-13.95%	27.28%
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, VFWPX achieves a -1.03% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 2.32% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFWPX having a 8.69% annualized return and VXUS not far ahead at 8.91%.

VFWPX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -11.06%
• YTD: -1.03%
• 6M: 3.63%
• 1Y: 23.67%
• 3Y*: 14.40%
• 5Y*: 7.06%
• 10Y*: 8.69%

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)

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFWPX 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%.

VFWPX

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares

VXUS

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

Return for Risk

VFWPX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFWPX

VFWPX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VFWPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VFWPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VFWPX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VFWPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VFWPX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VFWPX) 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.

	VFWPX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.64	-0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.26	-0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	2.42	-0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.46	9.37	-1.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFWPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFWPX 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

	VFWPX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	1.64	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.47	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.52	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.35	+0.01

Correlation

The correlation between VFWPX and VXUS is 0.98, 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

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

VFWPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.03%, more than VXUS's 2.97% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFWPX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	3.03%	3.10%	3.26%	3.33%	3.12%	3.08%	2.01%	3.12%	3.30%	2.70%	3.00%	2.99%
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

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFWPX drawdown since its inception was -34.85%, roughly equal to the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFWPX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFWPX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.85%	-35.97%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.34%	-11.27%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.35%	-29.44%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.85%	-35.97%	+1.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.34%	-8.33%	-3.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.00%	-8.29%	+0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	2.91%	-0.05%

Volatility

VFWPX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VFWPX) is 6.92%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 8.31%. This indicates that VFWPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFWPX	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.92%	8.31%	-1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.63%	11.50%	-0.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.78%	17.19%	-1.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.93%	15.82%	-0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.98%	17.09%	-1.11%