VOT vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOT returned 12.21%/yr vs 9.69%/yr for VXUS. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

VOT vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) 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, VOT achieves a 9.14% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 14.45% return. Over the past 10 years, VOT has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 12.21%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.69% annualized return.

VOT

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 12.25%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 7.03%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

VXUS

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 14.45%
• 6M: 16.87%
• 1Y: 31.38%
• 3Y*: 19.55%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 9.69%

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

VOT vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	9.14%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	14.45%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VOT and VXUS is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011	0.76

The correlation between VOT and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOT vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOT	VXUS
Technology	28.9%	18.1%
Industrials	23.7%	16.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	8.4%
Healthcare	9.3%	7.1%
Financial Services	6.8%	22.3%
Real Estate	4.8%	2.6%
Communication Services	3.8%	4.4%
Utilities	3.5%	3.2%
Energy	2.7%	5.2%
Basic Materials	1.8%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	5.0%

Return for Risk

VOT vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 22
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 62
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

VOT vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) 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.

	VOT	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	2.08	-1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.85	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.38	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	2.80	-2.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.31	10.92	-8.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOT vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOT Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VOT	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	2.08	-1.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.53	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.57	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.39	+0.07

Drawdowns

VOT vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOT drawdown since its inception was -60.16%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOT and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOT	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.16%	-35.97%	-24.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.96%	-11.27%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.77%	-13.58%	-8.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.19%	-29.44%	-7.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.19%	-35.97%	-1.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.82%	+0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.96%	-8.22%	-1.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.32%	2.88%	+2.44%

Volatility

VOT vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is 4.30%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that VOT 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

	VOT	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	5.46%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	13.00%	-0.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.79%	15.20%	+0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.35%	16.04%	+5.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.98%	17.15%	+3.83%

VOT vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VOT and VXUS have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VOT vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than VXUS's 2.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.65%	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 VOT and VXUS in my portfolio?

VOT and VXUS have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOT or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to VOT (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOT dropped -60.16% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, VOT or VXUS?

On 10-year performance, VOT leads with 12.21% vs 9.69% for VXUS. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, VOT has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOT or VXUS?

Over the 10-year period, VOT has performed better with a 12.21% return vs 9.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOT or VXUS?

VOT and VXUS have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.

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

VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.65%, compared with 0.61% for VOT.

What is the main difference between VOT and VXUS?

VOT is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while VXUS is Global Equities. VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 0.78), 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.