VXUS vs. VXX
VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VXX is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 10.22%/yr vs -47.94%/yr for VXX. At a correlation of -0.67, they often move in opposite directions. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for VXX.
Performance
VXUS vs. VXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 13.69% return, which is significantly higher than VXX's -8.58% return. Over the past 10 years, VXUS has outperformed VXX with an annualized return of 10.22%, while VXX has yielded a comparatively lower -47.94% annualized return.
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%
VXX
- 1D
- -4.42%
- 1M
- -14.70%
- YTD
- -8.58%
- 6M
- -18.05%
- 1Y
- -52.70%
- 3Y*
- -40.29%
- 5Y*
- -45.28%
- 10Y*
- -47.94%
VXUS vs. VXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -8.58% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -23.80% | -72.41% | 11.04% | -67.75% | 67.91% | -72.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXUS and VXX is -0.61, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.61 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.59 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.62 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.64 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011 | -0.67 |
The correlation between VXUS and VXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.67 to -0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VXUS vs. VXX — Risk / Return Rank
VXUS
VXX
VXUS vs. VXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX). 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 | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 0.83 | +0.50 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | -0.92 | +3.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.72 | -1.29 | +11.01 |
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Drawdowns
VXUS vs. VXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum VXX drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and VXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXUS | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.97% | -100.00% | +64.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.27% | -57.39% | +46.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.58% | -79.24% | +65.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.44% | -95.79% | +66.35% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.97% | -99.86% | +63.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.47% | -100.00% | +98.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.21% | -95.07% | +86.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.93% | 40.90% | -37.97% |
Volatility
VXUS vs. VXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is 6.71%, while iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has a volatility of 14.13%. This indicates that VXUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VXUS | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.71% | 14.13% | -7.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.02% | 42.36% | -28.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.09% | 56.64% | -40.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.21% | 68.04% | -51.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.20% | 70.83% | -53.63% |
VXUS vs. VXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VXX's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
VXUS vs. VXX - Dividend Comparison
VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, while VXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VXUS and VXX have a correlation of -0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXX has higher volatility (14.13%) compared to VXUS (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs VXX's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, VXUS leads with 10.22% vs -47.94% for VXX. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VXUS has been the lower-risk option at 6.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 10.22% return vs -47.94%. 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 0.89% for VXX.
VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.00% for VXX.
VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while VXX is Volatility. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Barclays Capital. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.89% for VXX.
VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs -0.93), 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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