SMI 3Fourteen REAL Asset Allocation ETF (RAA) is a ETF from 3FourteenSMI and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RAA returned +15.49% while VXUS returned +26.65%. Year to date, RAA is up 7.15% versus a gain of 11.69% for VXUS.

Over three years, RAA compounded at +13.79% per year against +18.15% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.79% and +8.66% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, RAA has the edge at +7.18% annualized vs +4.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

RAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.4% 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 -53.8% for RAA 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 0.11. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

RAA charges 0.85% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $5 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RAA currently yields 2.13% against 2.60% for VXUS.