VXUS vs. BOAT

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and BOAT (SonicShares Global Shipping ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while BOAT is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Shipping Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VXUS returned 8.98%/yr vs 24.35%/yr for BOAT. Their 0.52 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BOAT.

Performance

VXUS vs. BOAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 15.23% return, which is significantly lower than BOAT's 44.44% return.

VXUS

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: 1.90%
• 6M: 8.24%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 1Y: 28.78%
• 3Y*: 18.80%
• 5Y*: 8.98%
• 10Y*: 9.59%
• ALL TIME*: 6.70%

BOAT

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 12.97%
• 6M: 26.12%
• YTD: 44.44%
• 1Y: 56.33%
• 3Y*: 26.76%
• 5Y*: 24.35%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.70%

*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)
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	$1.71M	$1.08M	$1.05M
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	$377.93M	$404.12M	$507.23M

VXUS vs. BOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	15.23%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	-1.14%
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	44.44%	22.77%	5.97%	24.53%	6.26%	21.24%

Correlation

The correlation between VXUS and BOAT is 0.40, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2021	0.52

The correlation between VXUS and BOAT shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VXUS vs. BOAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VXUS	BOAT
Technology	23.7%	-
Financial Services	23.2%	6.6%
Industrials	14.5%	29.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	-
Healthcare	6.8%	-
Basic Materials	6.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	4.2%	10.3%
Communication Services	3.8%	-
Utilities	2.9%	-
Real Estate	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

VXUS vs. BOAT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 66
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

BOAT

BOAT Risk / Return Rank: 91
BOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
BOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
BOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

VXUS vs. BOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT). 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.

	VXUS	BOAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	2.74	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	3.59	-1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.44	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	4.88	-2.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.40	13.77	-4.37

VXUS vs. BOAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is lower than the BOAT Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXUS and BOAT, 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

VXUS vs. BOAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, which is greater than BOAT's maximum drawdown of -33.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and BOAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXUS	BOAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.97%	-33.94%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.27%	-11.60%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	-33.94%	+20.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.44%	-33.94%	+4.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.97%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.16%	-9.50%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	4.10%	-1.03%

Volatility

VXUS vs. BOAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is 5.34%, while SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT) has a volatility of 6.47%. This indicates that VXUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BOAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VXUS	BOAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.34%	6.47%	-1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.06%	16.87%	-1.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.91%	20.69%	-3.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.37%	25.05%	-8.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	25.05%	-8.01%

VXUS vs. BOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than BOAT's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

VXUS vs. BOAT - Dividend Comparison

VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, less than BOAT's 6.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	6.37%	8.08%	13.89%	13.65%	13.57%	1.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.53%	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 VXUS and BOAT in my portfolio?

VXUS and BOAT have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VXUS or BOAT?

BOAT has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to VXUS (5.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs BOAT's -33.94%.

Which ETF is better, VXUS or BOAT?

On 5-year performance, BOAT leads with 24.35% vs 8.98% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VXUS has been the lower-risk option at 5.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VXUS or BOAT?

Over the 5-year period, BOAT has performed better with a 24.35% return vs 8.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXUS or BOAT?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BOAT.

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

BOAT has the higher dividend yield at 6.37%, compared with 2.53% for VXUS.

What is the main difference between VXUS and BOAT?

VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while BOAT is Industrials Equities. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while BOAT tracks Solactive Global Shipping Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Tidal. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.69% for BOAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BOAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 1.71), 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.