AT vs VXUS
Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AT or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 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 | AT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 27 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -4.10% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.10% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 179.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 15.7 years | $18,206 | $20,049Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 14, 2026 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 15.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
AT 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
AT vs VXUS Performance
Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF (AT) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AT returned -4.10% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, AT is down 4.10% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 179.2% compared with 15.0% 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 -86.6% for AT and -39.9% 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 0.00. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AT charges 0.69% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $5 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AT currently yields 0.00% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 27 holdings in AT and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 105.3% and 91.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 19 positions appear in both.
19 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in AT and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 27 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6273:JPSMC Corporation | 8.33% | 0.05% | 8.28% |
| 6954:JPFanuc Corp | 7.61% | 0.08% | 7.53% |
| 6594:JPNidec Corp | 5.36% | 0.03% | 5.33% |
| 6506:JPYASKAWA Electric Corporation Com Stk | 4.55% | 0.02% | 4.53% |
| 6481:JPTHK Co. Ltd. | 4.16% | 0.01% | 4.15% |
| 300124:SHShenzhen Inovance Technology | 4.14% | 0.00% | 4.14% |
| 6324:TKHarmonic Drive Systems Inc | 4.10% | 0.00% | 4.10% |
| 2049:TWHiwin Technologies Corp | 3.78% | 0.01% | 3.77% |
| 277810:KRRainbow Robotics | 3.57% | 0.01% | 3.56% |
| 688017:SHLeader Harmonious Drive Systems Co Ltd | 3.40% | 0.00% | 3.40% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AT 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, AT or VXUS?
AT has an expense ratio of 0.69% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AT or VXUS?
Over the past year AT returned -4.10% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AT annualized +3.89% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AT or VXUS?
AT has been the more volatile fund at 179.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AT -86.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both AT and VXUS?
AT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.00, 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, AT or VXUS?
AT yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.