FTMU vs VXUS
Franklin Municipal Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FTMU or VXUS?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y.
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 | FTMU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $467M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.08% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 533 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -2.93% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.83% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.2%Best | 14.8% |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 31, 1976 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
FTMU 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.
FTMU vs VXUS Performance
Franklin Municipal Income ETF (FTMU) 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 FTMU returned -2.83% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, FTMU is down 2.93% 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 6.2% for FTMU. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTMU charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTMU currently yields 4.08% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 81 holdings in FTMU and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 41.1% 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 81 positions we hold weights for in FTMU and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 533 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTMU 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, FTMU or VXUS?
FTMU has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTMU or VXUS?
Over the past year FTMU returned -2.83% 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, FTMU or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 6.2% for FTMU.
Should I hold both FTMU and VXUS?
FTMU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, FTMU or VXUS?
FTMU yields 4.08% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so FTMU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FTMU?
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.