Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund (LGI) is a ETF from Lazard Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LGI returned +19.58% while VXUS returned +27.42%. Year to date, LGI is up 11.25% versus a gain of 13.40% for VXUS.

Over three years, LGI compounded at +16.76% per year against +18.54% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.85% and +9.05% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.79% annualized vs +1.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

LGI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% 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 -67.2% for LGI and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

LGI charges 1.72% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $172 vs $5 annually, a gap of $167 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LGI currently yields 9.83% against 2.60% for VXUS.