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VXUS vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VXUS vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 10.22%/yr vs 14.46%/yr for QUAL. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

VXUS vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 13.69% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 9.44% return. Over the past 10 years, VXUS has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 10.22%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.46% annualized return.

VXUS

1D
0.40%
1M
0.78%
YTD
13.69%
6M
15.52%
1Y
30.12%
3Y*
18.37%
5Y*
8.32%
10Y*
10.22%

QUAL

1D
0.47%
1M
2.14%
YTD
9.44%
6M
9.29%
1Y
22.87%
3Y*
19.30%
5Y*
11.97%
10Y*
14.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VXUS vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.44%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%33.89%-5.70%22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VXUS and QUAL is 0.80, 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

0.80

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.73

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.75

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.76

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013

0.77

The correlation between VXUS and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

VXUS vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VXUS
QUAL

Financial Services

22.3%
10.8%

Technology

18.1%
38.8%

Industrials

16.1%
7.2%

Consumer Cyclical

8.4%
9.3%

Basic Materials

7.6%
1.9%

Healthcare

7.1%
8.7%

Energy

5.2%
3.2%

Consumer Defensive

5.0%
4.4%

Communication Services

4.4%
11.8%

Utilities

3.2%
2.1%

Real Estate

2.6%
1.8%

Financial Services

VXUS
22.3%
QUAL
10.8%

Technology

VXUS
18.1%
QUAL
38.8%

Industrials

VXUS
16.1%
QUAL
7.2%

Consumer Cyclical

VXUS
8.4%
QUAL
9.3%

Basic Materials

VXUS
7.6%
QUAL
1.9%

Healthcare

VXUS
7.1%
QUAL
8.7%

Energy

VXUS
5.2%
QUAL
3.2%

Consumer Defensive

VXUS
5.0%
QUAL
4.4%

Communication Services

VXUS
4.4%
QUAL
11.8%

Utilities

VXUS
3.2%
QUAL
2.1%

Real Estate

VXUS
2.6%
QUAL
1.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with VXUS:
VXUS vs. VTIVXUS vs. VOOVXUS vs. VTVXUS vs. VEAVXUS vs. FZILXVXUS vs. VEUVXUS vs. SCHF
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

VXUS vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VXUS
VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5858
Calmar Ratio Rank
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VXUS vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

VXUSQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.77
1.74

+0.04

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.44
2.46

-0.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.31

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.53

2.32

+0.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.72

10.60

-0.88

VXUS vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXUS and QUAL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VXUS vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

VXUSQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-35.97%

-34.06%

-1.91%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.27%

-9.03%

-2.24%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.58%

-18.00%

+4.42%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.44%

-28.23%

-1.21%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.97%

-34.06%

-1.91%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.47%

-0.19%

-1.28%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.21%

-4.10%

-4.11%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.93%

1.99%

+0.94%

Volatility

VXUS vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a higher volatility of 6.71% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 3.63%. This indicates that VXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VXUSQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.71%

3.63%

+3.08%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.02%

9.43%

+4.59%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.09%

12.10%

+3.99%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.21%

17.36%

-1.15%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.20%

18.11%

-0.91%

VXUS vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VXUS vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, more than QUAL's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		0.87%0.94%1.02%1.23%1.59%1.20%1.39%1.60%2.00%1.76%1.96%1.63%
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

VXUS and QUAL have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VXUS has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to QUAL (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.46% vs 10.22% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.46% return vs 10.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUAL.

VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.15% for QUAL.

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.74), 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.

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