TILT vs VXUS
Northern Trust Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, TILT or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TILT led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS 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 | TILT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 1,929 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +11.74%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +15.61% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.41%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.12%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,942Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 16, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.1 years).
TILT 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 15.1 years both funds cover.
TILT vs VXUS Performance
Northern Trust Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt ETF (TILT) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TILT returned +15.61% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, TILT is up 11.74% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, TILT compounded at +20.41% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.12% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, TILT has the edge at +14.27% annualized vs +6.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TILT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 14.7% 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 -38.5% for TILT 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TILT charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TILT currently yields 1.08% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.1% of TILT'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.
TILT and VXUS share little of their money.
19 positions in common, counted across the 1,904 positions we hold weights for in TILT and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 1,929 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TILT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.64% | 0.00% | 1.64% |
| GMEGamestop Corp | 0.09% | 0.02% | 0.07% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| 196170:KRAlteogen Inc | 0.04% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| TELTE Connectivity PLC Common Stock | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TILT 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, TILT or VXUS?
TILT has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TILT or VXUS?
Over the past year TILT returned +15.61% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), TILT annualized +14.27% vs +6.25% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TILT or VXUS?
TILT has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: TILT -38.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both TILT and VXUS?
TILT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 TILT and VXUS?
At least 2.1% of TILT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 1,904 positions we hold weights for in TILT and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, TILT or VXUS?
TILT yields 1.08% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than TILT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TILT led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.