USA vs VXUS
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, USA or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. USA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | USA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.92% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.15% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 148 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +1.60% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.12% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.92% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.64% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,392 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | Liberty All Star Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 31, 1986 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
USA 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
USA vs VXUS Performance
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (USA) is an ETF from Liberty All Star Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USA returned +4.12% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, USA is up 1.60% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, USA compounded at +9.92% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.64% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, USA has the edge at +4.61% annualized vs +4.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 15.0% 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 -48.1% for USA 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USA charges 0.92% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $92 vs $5 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USA currently yields 10.15% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.6% of USA'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.
USA and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, USA as of Jun 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
11 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in USA and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 148 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in USA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.84% | 0.00% | 3.84% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 0.74% | 0.39% | 0.35% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 0.53% | 0.54% | 0.01% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.47% | 0.56% | 0.09% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.75% | 0.06% | 0.69% |
| TTE:PATotal Fina Elf Holdings Usa, Inc. | 0.42% | 0.37% | 0.05% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.41% | 0.37% | 0.04% |
| MGA:CAMagna International Inc | 0.72% | 0.04% | 0.68% |
| 6758:JPSony Corp | 0.42% | 0.32% | 0.10% |
| WCN:CAWaste Connections Inc Common Stock Cad 0 | 0.31% | 0.09% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USA 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, USA or VXUS?
USA has an expense ratio of 0.92% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USA or VXUS?
Over the past year USA returned +4.12% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), USA annualized +4.61% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USA or VXUS?
USA has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: USA -48.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both USA and VXUS?
USA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 USA and VXUS?
At least 8.6% of USA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in USA and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, USA or VXUS?
USA yields 10.15% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so USA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than USA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. USA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.