VFWSX vs. VXUS
VFWSX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - VFWSX is a Foreign Large Cap 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, VFWSX returned 10.06%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for VXUS. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFWSX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.
Performance
VFWSX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VFWSX achieves a 15.78% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 14.25% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFWSX having a 10.06% annualized return and VXUS not far behind at 9.76%.
VFWSX
- 1D
- 0.66%
- 1M
- 5.91%
- YTD
- 15.78%
- 6M
- 18.57%
- 1Y
- 33.79%
- 3Y*
- 20.08%
- 5Y*
- 9.08%
- 10Y*
- 10.06%
VXUS
- 1D
- -0.99%
- 1M
- 4.68%
- YTD
- 14.25%
- 6M
- 16.92%
- 1Y
- 32.01%
- 3Y*
- 19.30%
- 5Y*
- 8.46%
- 10Y*
- 9.76%
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 | 15.78% | 32.38% | 5.45% | 15.59% | -15.48% | 8.11% | 11.37% | 21.58% | -13.97% | 27.24% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 14.25% | 32.35% | 5.08% | 15.86% | -16.08% | 8.98% | 10.66% | 21.75% | -14.43% | 27.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFWSX and VXUS is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011 | 0.98 |
The correlation between VFWSX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VFWSX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank
VFWSX
VXUS
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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.39 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.94 | 2.85 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.55 | 11.14 | +0.41 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VFWSX | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.32 | 2.12 | +0.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 | 0.53 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.63 | 0.57 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.28 | 0.39 | -0.11 |
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.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VFWSX | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.26% | -13.58% | +0.32% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.99% | +0.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.25% | -8.22% | -5.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.88% | 2.88% | 0.00% |
Volatility
VFWSX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFWSX) is 4.89%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.60%. 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VFWSX | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.89% | 5.60% | -0.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.06% | 13.00% | -0.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.41% | 15.21% | -0.80% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.18% | 16.05% | -0.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.08% | 17.16% | -1.08% |
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%.
Dividends
VFWSX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison
VFWSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, less than VXUS's 2.66% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFWSX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares | 2.57% | 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 | 2.66% | 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
With a correlation of 0.98, VFWSX and VXUS 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.
VXUS has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to VFWSX (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFWSX dropped -61.60% vs VXUS's -35.97%.
VFWSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.12), 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.
Find the right allocation for VFWSX and VXUS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer