VFWSX vs. VXUS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

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

VFWSX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 30, 2007. 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

VFWSX 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 Shares (VFWSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VFWSX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFWSX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares	-1.04%	32.38%	5.45%	15.59%	-15.48%	8.11%	11.37%	21.58%	-13.97%	27.24%
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, VFWSX achieves a -1.04% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 2.32% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFWSX having a 8.67% annualized return and VXUS not far ahead at 8.91%.

VFWSX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -11.06%
• YTD: -1.04%
• 6M: 3.62%
• 1Y: 23.65%
• 3Y*: 14.37%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: 8.67%

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)

VFWSX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFWSX has a 0.08% 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%.

VFWSX

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

VXUS

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

Return for Risk

VFWSX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFWSX

VFWSX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VFWSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VFWSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VFWSX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VFWSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VFWSX 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.

VFWSX 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 Shares (VFWSX) 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.

	VFWSX	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	-0.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.34	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	2.42	-0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	9.37	-1.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFWSX vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFWSX 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 VFWSX 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

	VFWSX	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	0.54	0.52	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.35	-0.11

Correlation

The correlation between VFWSX 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

VFWSX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

VFWSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than VXUS's 2.97% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFWSX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.01%	3.08%	3.23%	3.31%	3.10%	3.06%	1.99%	3.10%	3.28%	2.67%	2.97%	2.97%
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

VFWSX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFWSX drawdown since its inception was -61.60%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFWSX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFWSX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.60%	-35.97%	-25.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.34%	-11.27%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.37%	-29.44%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.87%	-35.97%	+1.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.34%	-8.33%	-3.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.35%	-8.29%	-5.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	2.91%	-0.05%

Volatility

VFWSX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFWSX) is 6.92%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 8.31%. This indicates that VFWSX 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

	VFWSX	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%