RW vs VXUS
Rainwater Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RW or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
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 | RW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.10% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 33 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.95% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.49% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 12.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.0% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $9,916 | $13,255Best |
| Fund Family | Rainwater ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 17, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 18, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.2 years).
RW 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
RW vs VXUS Performance
Rainwater Equity ETF (RW) is an ETF from Rainwater ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RW returned -3.49% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, RW is down 0.95% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 12.3% for RW. 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 -17.0% for RW and -11.3% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RW 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, RW currently yields 0.10% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 13.1% of RW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
RW and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, RW as of Aug 18, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in RW and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 33 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RW 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, RW or VXUS?
RW has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RW or VXUS?
Over the past year RW returned -3.49% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), RW annualized -0.70% vs +26.47% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RW or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 12.3% for RW. Worst drawdown: RW -17.0% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both RW and VXUS?
RW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 RW and VXUS?
At least 13.1% of RW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in RW and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, RW or VXUS?
RW yields 0.10% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RW?
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.