FLAX vs VXUS
Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FLAX or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLAX led over 1Y and 3Y, VXUS over 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 | FLAX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 1,623 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +16.06%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +24.84%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.58%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.03% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.5% | -37.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,714 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 6, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.7 years).
FLAX 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
FLAX vs VXUS Performance
Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FLAX returned +24.84% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, FLAX is up 16.06% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, FLAX compounded at +22.58% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.03% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.98% annualized vs +6.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 15.7% 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 -42.5% for FLAX and -37.2% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLAX charges 0.19% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $5 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLAX currently yields 2.02% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 58.7% of FLAX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
1,133 positions in common, counted across the 1,597 positions we hold weights for in FLAX and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 1,623 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLAX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 005930:KRSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 7.68% | 1.90% | 5.78% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 6.37% | 1.46% | 4.91% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 2.06% | 0.59% | 1.47% |
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc Common Stock TWD10.0 | 1.86% | 0.40% | 1.46% |
| DBSM:SIDBS Group Holdings Ltd Dbs Group Holdings Ltd | 0.99% | 0.27% | 0.72% |
| 005935:KRSamsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (preference Shares) | 0.97% | 0.24% | 0.73% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.93% | 0.24% | 0.69% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | 0.78% | 0.21% | 0.57% |
| 1299:HKAia Group Ltd | 0.74% | 0.22% | 0.52% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Limited | 0.66% | 0.20% | 0.46% |
58.7% of FLAX is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FLAX or VXUS?
FLAX has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLAX or VXUS?
Over the past year FLAX returned +24.84% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so FLAX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLAX annualized +6.65% vs +6.98% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLAX or VXUS?
FLAX has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 15.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FLAX -42.5% vs VXUS -37.2%.
Should I hold both FLAX and VXUS?
FLAX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FLAX and VXUS?
At least 58.7% of FLAX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,133 positions in common, counted across the 1,597 positions we hold weights for in FLAX and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLAX or VXUS?
FLAX yields 2.02% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FLAX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FLAX led over 1Y and 3Y, VXUS over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.