VXUS vs XVOL
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Acruence Active Hedge US Equity ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XVOL?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | VXUS | XVOL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $2M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 2.00% |
| Holdings | 8,844 | 83 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 16.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -25.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,078Best | $12,636 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Acruence Capital, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Apr 21, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 181 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VXUS has data through Oct 14, 2026 and XVOL through Apr 16, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 22, 2021 to Apr 16, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XVOL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 15.1% 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 -29.4% for VXUS and -25.8% for XVOL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XVOL charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $83 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.34% against 2.00% for XVOL.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.6% of XVOL'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.
XVOL and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 243 days apart, VXUS as of Aug 31, 2026 and XVOL as of Dec 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 81 in XVOL, against full books of 8,844 and 83.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XVOL 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, VXUS or XVOL?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XVOL charges 0.83%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XVOL?
XVOL has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -29.4% vs XVOL -25.8%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XVOL?
VXUS and XVOL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 VXUS and XVOL?
At least 2.6% of XVOL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 81 in XVOL.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XVOL?
VXUS yields 2.34% while XVOL yields 2.00%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XVOL better than VXUS?
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.