AFSC vs VXUS
abrdn Focused US Small Cap Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AFSC or VXUS?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AFSC led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AFSC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.06% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 88 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +18.19%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +21.46%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 12.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.7% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,304 | $13,886Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 31, 1997 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.7 years).
AFSC vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.7 years both funds cover.
AFSC vs VXUS Performance
abrdn Focused US Small Cap Active ETF (AFSC) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AFSC returned +21.46% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, AFSC is up 18.19% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 12.3% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -21.7% for AFSC and -13.6% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFSC charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFSC currently yields 0.06% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 41 holdings in AFSC and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% and 91.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in AFSC and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 88 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AFSC and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFSC or VXUS?
AFSC has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFSC or VXUS?
Over the past year AFSC returned +21.46% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so AFSC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AFSC annualized +12.97% vs +21.30% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFSC or VXUS?
AFSC has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 12.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AFSC -21.7% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both AFSC and VXUS?
AFSC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFSC or VXUS?
AFSC yields 0.06% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AFSC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AFSC led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.