FGM vs VXUS
First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FGM or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | FGM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $89M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 84 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -8.75% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.27% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.36% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.26% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,740 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 17, 2012 to Oct 14, 2026 (14.7 years).
FGM 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 14.7 years both funds cover.
FGM vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund (FGM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FGM returned -0.27% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, FGM is down 8.75% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, FGM compounded at +19.36% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.26% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.40% annualized vs +5.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 14.4% 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 -53.6% for FGM 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGM charges 0.80% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $5 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGM currently yields 1.80% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 38 holdings in FGM and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 94.5% 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, 15 positions appear in both.
15 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in FGM and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 84 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FGM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHER:FFDelivery Hero Se | 4.48% | 0.02% | 4.46% |
| BMW:SGBayerische Motoren Werke Ag_None_0 | 4.17% | 0.05% | 4.12% |
| NDA:BEAurubis Ag | 3.79% | 0.14% | 3.65% |
| UTDI:FFUnited Internet AG | 3.68% | 0.00% | 3.68% |
| BAYN:SGBayer Ag | 3.26% | 0.12% | 3.14% |
| LHA:SGDeutsche Lufthansa Ag | 3.34% | 0.01% | 3.33% |
| KGX:SGKion Group Ag | 3.25% | 0.01% | 3.24% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 2.59% | 0.53% | 2.06% |
| WCH:FFWacker Chemie Ag | 1.72% | 0.00% | 1.72% |
| FRA:BEFraport Ag Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(fra) | 1.49% | 0.01% | 1.48% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGM 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, FGM or VXUS?
FGM has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGM or VXUS?
Over the past year FGM returned -0.27% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FGM annualized +5.32% vs +5.40% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGM or VXUS?
FGM has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FGM -53.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FGM and VXUS?
FGM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, FGM or VXUS?
FGM yields 1.80% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FGM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.