VTHR vs. VXUS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTHR is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 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, VTHR returned 14.55%/yr vs 9.44%/yr for VXUS. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VTHR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

VTHR vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) 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, VTHR achieves a 10.36% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 12.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VTHR has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 14.55%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.44% annualized return.

VTHR

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.19%
• 6M: 8.65%
• YTD: 10.36%
• 1Y: 21.54%
• 3Y*: 18.81%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.55%
• ALL TIME*: 14.17%

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)
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	$9.26M	$9.46M	$10.85M
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	$362.62M	$406.11M	$507.75M

VTHR vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	10.36%	16.99%	23.57%	25.92%	-19.20%	25.49%	20.93%	30.82%	-5.65%	21.06%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	12.75%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VTHR and VXUS is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	0.78

The correlation between VTHR and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTHR vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTHR	VXUS
Technology	35.7%	23.7%
Financial Services	11.9%	23.2%
Industrials	10.0%	14.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	6.8%
Healthcare	9.6%	6.8%
Communication Services	9.3%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	4.8%
Energy	3.2%	4.2%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.7%
Utilities	2.2%	2.9%
Basic Materials	2.0%	6.6%

Return for Risk

VTHR vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTHR

VTHR Risk / Return Rank: 66
VTHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VTHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTHR Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VTHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTHR Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VTHR vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) 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.

	VTHR	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.62	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	2.24	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.42	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.57	8.87	+0.70

VTHR vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHR 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

VTHR vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, roughly equal to the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHR	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-35.97%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-11.27%	+2.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-13.58%	-5.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-29.44%	+4.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	-35.97%	+1.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-2.84%	+1.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.02%	-8.16%	+4.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	3.07%	-1.01%

Volatility

VTHR vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) is 3.40%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.29%. This indicates that VTHR 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

	VTHR	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	5.29%	-1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	15.06%	-4.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.11%	16.86%	-3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	16.35%	+1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	17.03%	+0.81%

VTHR vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHR 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%.

Dividends

VTHR vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than VXUS's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	1.03%	1.08%	1.19%	1.47%	1.52%	1.16%	1.37%	1.65%	1.89%	1.63%	1.82%	1.84%
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 VTHR and VXUS in my portfolio?

VTHR and VXUS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTHR or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to VTHR (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHR dropped -34.61% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, VTHR or VXUS?

On 10-year performance, VTHR leads with 14.55% vs 9.44% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VTHR has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTHR or VXUS?

Over the 10-year period, VTHR has performed better with a 14.55% return vs 9.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTHR or VXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for VTHR.

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

VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 1.03% for VTHR.

What is the main difference between VTHR and VXUS?

VTHR is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VXUS is Global Equities. VTHR tracks Russell 3000 Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTHR and 0.05% for VXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.50), 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.