URTY vs VXUS

Quick Verdict

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. URTY delivered stronger 1-year returns. VXUS offers more diversification with 7860 holdings.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: URTYMore Diversified: VXUS

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricURTYVXUSWinner
Expense Ratio0.95%0.05%
AUM$333M$156.5B
Dividend Yield0.72%2.60%
Holdings1,9968,747
YTD Return+51.42%+11.69%
1Y Return+105.21%+26.65%
3Y Return (annualized)+22.87%+18.15%
5Y Return (annualized)-3.66%+8.66%
Volatility (annualized)59.5%15.0%
Max Drawdown-88.2%-39.9%
Fund FamilyProSharesVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
InceptionFeb 9, 2010Jan 26, 2011

URTY vs VXUS Performance

ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) is a ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year URTY returned +105.21% while VXUS returned +26.65%. Year to date, URTY is up 51.42% versus a gain of 11.69% for VXUS.

Over three years, URTY compounded at +22.87% per year against +18.15% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.66% and +8.66% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, URTY has the edge at +13.61% annualized vs +4.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

URTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 59.5% 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 -88.2% for URTY 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

URTY charges 0.95% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $5 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, URTY currently yields 0.72% against 2.60% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

0.1%overlap

URTY and VXUS share 18 holdings out of 9809 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.1% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in URTYWeight in VXUSDifference
UCB:BR0.04%0.08%0.04%
ESE0.09%0.00%0.09%
SSRM0.07%0.01%0.06%
FBKProProPro
SIG:LNProProPro
UUUU:CAProProPro
PPTA:CAProProPro
CASHProProPro
BBUC:CAProProPro
ASC:BMProProPro
See all 10 holdings URTY shares with VXUS
Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, URTY or VXUS?

URTY has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $90 per year of difference.

Which performed better, URTY or VXUS?

Over the past year URTY returned +105.21% vs +26.65% for VXUS, so URTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), URTY annualized +13.61% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, URTY or VXUS?

URTY has been the more volatile fund at 59.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: URTY -88.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.

Should I hold both URTY and VXUS?

URTY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between URTY and VXUS?

URTY and VXUS share 18 common holdings with a 0.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 9809 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, URTY or VXUS?

URTY yields 0.72% while VXUS yields 2.60%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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