VWELX vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. VWELX is actively managed, while VXUS is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWELX returned 10.05%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for VXUS. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWELX charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

VWELX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) 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, VWELX achieves a 5.07% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 13.69% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWELX having a 10.05% annualized return and VXUS not far ahead at 10.22%.

VWELX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -0.64%
• YTD: 5.07%
• 6M: 5.82%
• 1Y: 17.27%
• 3Y*: 14.66%
• 5Y*: 8.35%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

VXUS

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 13.69%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 28.39%
• 3Y*: 18.37%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

VWELX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	5.07%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	13.69%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VWELX and VXUS is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	0.82

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

VWELX vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWELX	VXUS
Technology	31.8%	18.1%
Communication Services	12.3%	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	8.4%
Financial Services	10.6%	22.3%
Healthcare	9.8%	7.1%
Industrials	8.5%	16.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	5.0%
Energy	4.4%	5.2%
Real Estate	2.6%	2.6%
Utilities	2.5%	3.2%
Basic Materials	2.1%	7.6%

Return for Risk

VWELX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 61
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 63
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.

VWELX vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) 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.

	VWELX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.77	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.44	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.33	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	2.53	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.84	9.72	+2.11

VWELX vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWELX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWELX 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

VWELX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWELX drawdown since its inception was -36.12%, roughly equal to the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWELX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWELX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.12%	-35.97%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.78%	-11.27%	+4.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.98%	-13.58%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.88%	-29.44%	+8.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.33%	-35.97%	+10.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.91%	-1.47%	-0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.92%	-8.21%	+4.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.50%	2.93%	-1.43%

Volatility

VWELX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) is 3.49%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 6.71%. This indicates that VWELX 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

	VWELX	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.49%	6.71%	-3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.20%	14.02%	-6.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.82%	16.09%	-7.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.20%	16.21%	-5.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.56%	17.20%	-5.64%

VWELX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWELX has a 0.24% 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

VWELX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

VWELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.97%, more than VXUS's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	10.97%	11.46%	10.76%	6.01%	8.19%	8.64%	7.77%	4.67%	9.49%	5.82%	4.44%	7.03%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.67%	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 VWELX and VXUS in my portfolio?

VWELX 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, VWELX or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to VWELX (3.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWELX dropped -36.12% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.77), 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.