FTMH vs VXUS

FTMH vs VXUS

Which is better, FTMH or VXUS?

High Yield Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns (1Y): 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

MetricFTMHVXUS
Expense Ratio0.35%0.05%Best
AUM$646M$163.2B
Dividend Yield4.57%2.34%
Holdings5218,844
YTD Return-3.55%+10.00%Best
1Y Return-3.19%+17.01%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+19.55%
5Y Return (annualized)-+8.55%
Volatility (annualized)7.3%Best14.8%
Fund FamilyFranklin Templeton Investments (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
StyleHigh Yield Municipal BondLarge Cap Blend
InceptionSep 9, 1985Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.

FTMH 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.

FTMH vs VXUS Performance

Franklin Municipal High Yield ETF (FTMH) 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 FTMH returned -3.19% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, FTMH is down 3.55% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 7.3% for FTMH. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

FTMH charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTMH currently yields 4.57% against 2.34% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 107 holdings in FTMH and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 31.0% 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 107 positions we hold weights for in FTMH and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 521 and 8,844.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

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

FTMHVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, FTMH or VXUS?

FTMH has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, FTMH or VXUS?

Over the past year FTMH returned -3.19% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, FTMH or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 7.3% for FTMH.

Should I hold both FTMH and VXUS?

FTMH and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, FTMH or VXUS?

FTMH yields 4.57% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so FTMH currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than FTMH?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.