FOWF vs VXUS

FOWF vs VXUS

Which is better, FOWF or VXUS?

VXUS has been ahead.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: VXUS

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

MetricFOWFVXUS
Expense Ratio0.49%0.05%Best
AUM$14M$164.9B
Dividend Yield0.72%2.51%
Holdings1868,844
YTD Return+6.72%+11.26%Best
1Y Return+8.47%+18.37%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+20.02%
5Y Return (annualized)-+8.98%
Volatility (annualized)13.1%11.6%Best
Max Drawdown-12.3%Best-13.6%
$10,000 over 1.8 years$13,962$14,913Best
Fund FamilyPacer ETFsVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionDec 17, 2024Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 18, 2024 to Oct 13, 2026 (1.8 years).

FOWF 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 1.8 years both funds cover.

FOWF vs VXUS Performance

Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF (FOWF) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FOWF returned +8.47% while VXUS returned +18.37%. Year to date, FOWF is up 6.72% versus a gain of 11.26% for VXUS.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

FOWF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 11.6% 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 -12.3% for FOWF 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

FOWF charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FOWF currently yields 0.72% against 2.51% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

FOWF already in VXUS15.9%

At least 15.9% of FOWF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

FOWF and VXUS share little of their money.

The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, FOWF as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

22 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in FOWF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 186 and 8,844.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in FOWFWeight in VXUSDifference
BAES:LNBae Systems Plc2.61%0.19%2.42%
RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC Ord Gbp0.200.66%0.38%0.28%
SAF:PASafran Sa0.64%0.30%0.34%
VOD:LNVodafone Group Plc0.74%0.06%0.68%
CAP:PACapgemini Se0.73%0.04%0.69%
BCE:CABce Inc0.73%0.02%0.71%
SGE:LNSage Group Plc/the0.72%0.03%0.69%
EXPN:LNExperian Plc0.67%0.08%0.59%
RHMG:SGRheinmetall Ag0.60%0.14%0.46%
GIBA:CACgi, Inc., Class A0.68%0.03%0.65%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of FOWF and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

FOWFVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, FOWF or VXUS?

FOWF has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, FOWF or VXUS?

Over the past year FOWF returned +8.47% vs +18.37% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FOWF annualized +20.37% vs +24.86% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, FOWF or VXUS?

FOWF has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 11.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FOWF -12.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.

Should I hold both FOWF and VXUS?

FOWF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 FOWF and VXUS?

At least 15.9% of FOWF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in FOWF and 8,082 in VXUS.

Which pays a higher dividend, FOWF or VXUS?

FOWF yields 0.72% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than FOWF?

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.