VMOT vs. VXUS

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VMOT (Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VMOT is a Momentum fund tracking the Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend Index, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VMOT returned 6.37%/yr vs 8.78%/yr for VXUS. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VMOT charges 1.75%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

VMOT vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend ETF (VMOT) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMOT achieves a 13.65% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 12.75% return.

VMOT

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 6.63%
• YTD: 13.65%
• 1Y: 28.67%
• 3Y*: 16.05%
• 5Y*: 6.37%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.78%

VXUS

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 6.78%
• YTD: 12.75%
• 1Y: 27.56%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 8.78%
• 10Y*: 9.44%
• ALL TIME*: 6.55%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VMOT Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend ETF	$67.44K	$51.51K	$70.29K
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	$362.62M	$406.11M	$507.75M

VMOT vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMOT Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend ETF	13.65%	18.54%	12.07%	-0.74%	-7.00%	3.52%	4.69%	4.59%	-15.64%	14.98%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	12.75%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	11.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VMOT and VXUS is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2017	0.71

The correlation between VMOT and VXUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (5 years) to 0.89 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VMOT vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VMOT	VXUS
Industrials	19.9%	14.5%
Consumer Cyclical	18.8%	6.8%
Technology	11.4%	23.7%
Energy	8.6%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	4.8%
Healthcare	8.4%	6.8%
Financial Services	8.1%	23.2%
Communication Services	7.3%	3.8%
Basic Materials	5.1%	6.6%
Utilities	3.3%	2.9%
Real Estate	0.6%	1.7%

Return for Risk

VMOT vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VMOT

VMOT Risk / Return Rank: 77
VMOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VMOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VMOT Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VMOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VMOT Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 71
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VMOT vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend ETF (VMOT) 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.

	VMOT	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.62	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.24	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.30	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.61	2.42	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.78	8.87	+0.91

VMOT vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMOT Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMOT and VXUS, 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

VMOT vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMOT drawdown since its inception was -34.71%, roughly equal to the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMOT and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMOT	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.71%	-35.97%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-11.27%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.23%	-13.58%	-6.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.73%	-29.44%	+5.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.64%	-2.84%	-0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.14%	-8.16%	-4.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	3.07%	-0.17%

Volatility

VMOT vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend ETF (VMOT) is 4.03%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.29%. This indicates that VMOT 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

	VMOT	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	5.29%	-1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.94%	15.06%	-1.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	16.86%	-0.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.74%	16.35%	-0.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.94%	17.03%	-2.09%

VMOT vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMOT has a 1.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

VMOT vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

VMOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, less than VXUS's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VMOT Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend ETF	1.81%	2.05%	2.54%	4.13%	2.24%	0.82%	0.00%	1.76%	0.93%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.59%	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

Can I hold both VMOT and VXUS in my portfolio?

VMOT and VXUS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VMOT or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to VMOT (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMOT dropped -34.71% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, VMOT or VXUS?

On 5-year performance, VXUS leads with 8.78% vs 6.37% for VMOT. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VMOT has been the lower-risk option at 4.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VMOT or VXUS?

Over the 5-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 8.78% return vs 6.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VMOT or VXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 1.75% for VMOT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VMOT or VXUS?

VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 1.81% for VMOT.

What is the main difference between VMOT and VXUS?

VMOT is categorized as Momentum, while VXUS is Global Equities. VMOT tracks Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.75% for VMOT and 0.05% for VXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.62), 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.