Benchmark research · International Stocks
ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VXUS (International Stocks)
Any investment can look great over a single hand-picked timeframe. To find what truly kept ahead of VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF), we screened VXUS against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs across 8 different time windows from 1 month to 10 years, including reinvested dividends. A contender had to come out ahead in both the short term and the long term to make the list. Data as of October 22, 2026.
Compare the entire market against VXUS live →Key findings
- How hard it was to top VXUS: Out of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs screened, 316 of 956 eligible ETFs (33%) and 448 of 1,502 eligible stocks (30%) outperformed in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes. The bar was not easy to clear, though 161 ETFs and 194 stocks were all-weather, outperforming in every long-term timeframe and all but one short-term timeframe.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
- Popular alternatives: DXJ, SPY, URTH, ACWI, and VT all outperformed in 5 of 5 short-term and 3 of 3 long-term timeframes. SCHF and VEA also cleared the bar, while EFA reached 3 of 5 short-term but only 1 of 3 long-term timeframes, and VWO outperformed in none. IXUS was excluded as the one same-index fund.
- Top ETFs: Technology led the top ETF group, with 5 of the 15 shown in the table. RSPT, FXL, CIBR, and TDIV were technology standouts, and DXJ represented the international category. Overall, 316 ETFs made the cut.
- Top stocks: A total of 448 stocks made the cut, with the top 10 shown in the table. NTRA, MEDP, and LLY came from Healthcare, while FTNT represented Technology. The displayed leaders also included BWLP from Industrials.
- The risk trade-off: Over 5 years, none of the top ETFs or stocks were less volatile than VXUS. The top ETFs had median volatility of 21.3%, compared with 16.4% for VXUS, while the top stocks had median volatility of 44.6%, roughly double or more. Still, 14 of 15 top ETFs and all 10 top stocks had higher Sharpe ratios than the benchmark, suggesting that most delivered more return per unit of risk over that period.
How popular alternatives compare
Well-known funds and stocks investors often compare against VXUS, sorted by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | ||
| VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (benchmark) | — | −5.4% | −1.9% | +0.8% | +8.9% | +14.3% | +75.1% | +47.2% | +137% | 16.4% | 0.56 |
| DXJ Made the listWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.3% | +0.4% | +10.4% | +23.0% | +34.3% | +125% | +225% | +415% | 19.1%1.2× VXUS | 1.34 |
| SPY Made the listState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2%1.0× VXUS | 0.78 |
| URTH Made the listiShares MSCI World ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.8% | +1.5% | +6.5% | +11.3% | +15.0% | +83.6% | +68.0% | +243% | 16.3%1.0× VXUS | 0.72 |
| ACWI Made the listiShares MSCI ACWI ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.0% | +0.8% | +5.5% | +11.2% | +14.9% | +83.1% | +63.7% | +223% | 16.2%1.0× VXUS | 0.69 |
| VT Made the listVanguard Total World Stock ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.9% | +0.6% | +4.9% | +11.1% | +14.9% | +82.6% | +62.0% | +220% | 16.2%1.0× VXUS | 0.68 |
| SCHF Made the listSchwab International Equity ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.9% | −1.7% | +2.4% | +11.0% | +17.6% | +79.6% | +56.6% | +154% | 16.8%1.0× VXUS | 0.62 |
| VEA Made the listVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.7% | −1.5% | +2.1% | +10.6% | +17.1% | +79.6% | +54.8% | +152% | 16.9%1.0× VXUS | 0.60 |
| IDV Made the listiShares International Select Dividend ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −3.1% | −1.5% | +0.3% | +10.4% | +21.3% | +105% | +81.7% | +159% | 15.5%0.9× VXUS | 0.85 |
| DBEF Made the listXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −2.1% | −0.8% | +6.0% | +12.0% | +17.4% | +73.9% | +83.6% | +204% | 13.8%0.8× VXUS | 0.95 |
| EFA Fell shortiShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 3/5 short1/3 long | −3.1% | −1.1% | +2.8% | +8.0% | +13.0% | +70.1% | +50.0% | +138% | 16.6%1.0× VXUS | 0.57 |
| EEM Fell shortiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2/5 short1/3 long | −10.7% | −5.0% | −2.1% | +10.3% | +16.0% | +80.4% | +33.4% | +104% | 20.0%1.2× VXUS | 0.39 |
| IEFA Fell shortiShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 3/5 short0/3 long | −3.3% | −1.0% | +2.6% | +8.2% | +13.1% | +71.3% | +48.1% | +140% | 16.6%1.0× VXUS | 0.56 |
| EFG Fell shortiShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF | 1/5 short0/3 long | −3.2% | −1.9% | −0.1% | +3.7% | +4.5% | +49.7% | +16.9% | +110% | 18.5%1.1× VXUS | 0.26 |
| VWO Fell shortVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −7.0% | −3.2% | −3.0% | +3.8% | +6.7% | +63.5% | +27.4% | +95.9% | 17.5%1.1× VXUS | 0.36 |
ETFs that consistently outperformed VXUS
Top 15 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Green cells outperformed VXUS in that period. Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Expense | Assets | |||
| — | VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (benchmark) | — | −5.4% | −1.9% | +0.8% | +8.9% | +14.3% | +75.1% | +47.2% | +137% | 16.4% | 0.56 | ||
| 1 | RSPT TechnologyInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.9% | +6.2% | +21.6% | +40.0% | +43.0% | +141% | +116% | +559% | 25.1%1.5× VXUS | 0.74 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| 2 | FXL TechnologyFirst Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.1% | +8.6% | +17.8% | +28.7% | +29.3% | +104% | +66.4% | +514% | 26.2%1.6× VXUS | 0.52 | 0.60% | $2.7B |
| 3 | CIBR TechnologyFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.2% | +15.1% | +49.3% | +45.8% | +35.2% | +134% | +96.7% | +461% | 26.2%1.6× VXUS | 0.65 | 0.58% | $17B |
| 4 | ONEQ Broad MarketFidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.5% | +1.4% | +5.9% | +12.6% | +15.2% | +104% | +80.9% | +437% | 22.6%1.4× VXUS | 0.64 | 0.21% | $11B |
| 5 | DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.3% | +0.4% | +10.4% | +23.0% | +34.3% | +125% | +225% | +415% | 19.1%1.2× VXUS | 1.34 | 0.48% | $8.1B |
| 6 | UGA CommoditiesUnited States Gasoline Fund, LP | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.6% | +16.0% | +32.8% | +132% | +125% | +117% | +227% | +401% | 35.1%2.1× VXUS | 0.85 | 1.08% | $167M |
| 7 | TDIV TechnologyFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.5% | +4.2% | +6.8% | +17.8% | +16.4% | +118% | +115% | +384% | 21.3%1.3× VXUS | 0.83 | 0.50% | $4.4B |
| 8 | HACK TechnologyAmplify Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.6% | +15.7% | +51.5% | +54.8% | +42.0% | +142% | +87.4% | +381% | 25.8%1.6× VXUS | 0.62 | 0.60% | $3.3B |
| 9 | BNO CommoditiesUnited States Brent Oil Fund LP | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +19.0% | +34.0% | +36.4% | +144% | +139% | +118% | +205% | +359% | 37.1%2.3× VXUS | 0.79 | 1.15% | $768M |
| 10 | IOO InternationaliShares Global 100 ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.9% | +2.9% | +8.2% | +13.3% | +19.6% | +103% | +107% | +357% | 17.2%1.0× VXUS | 0.94 | 0.40% | $9.2B |
| 11 | MGC Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.9% | +2.8% | +8.4% | +12.6% | +15.7% | +93.4% | +86.0% | +347% | 17.4%1.1× VXUS | 0.80 | 0.05% | $11B |
| 12 | DBJP InternationalXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.5% | −0.8% | +8.0% | +19.7% | +27.7% | +110% | +158% | +339% | 19.3%1.2× VXUS | 1.09 | 0.45% | $726M |
| 13 | HEWJ InternationaliShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.3% | −0.8% | +7.8% | +19.7% | +27.4% | +110% | +157% | +336% | 19.4%1.2× VXUS | 1.07 | 1.02% | $639M |
| 14 | CRAK EnergyVanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.5% | +15.8% | +36.4% | +69.7% | +74.3% | +118% | +143% | +325% | 20.9%1.3× VXUS | 0.96 | 0.61% | $810M |
| 15 | RDVY Dividend & IncomeFirst Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.3% | −0.3% | +6.9% | +14.3% | +20.2% | +89.1% | +71.0% | +321% | 18.8%1.1× VXUS | 0.67 | 0.47% | $25B |
Stocks that consistently outperformed VXUS
Top 10 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Individual stocks swing far more than funds; check the volatility column.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Company | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Market cap | |||
| — | VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (benchmark) | — | −5.4% | −1.9% | +0.8% | +8.9% | +14.3% | +75.1% | +47.2% | +137% | 16.4% | 0.56 | |
| 1 | NTRA Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchNatera, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +2.7% | +51.9% | +93.2% | +75.4% | +113% | +901% | +249% | +3,934% | 57.6%3.5× VXUS | 0.73 | $58B |
| 2 | FTNT Software - InfrastructureFortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.7% | +11.6% | +98.6% | +122% | +104% | +208% | +158% | +2,668% | 44.8%2.7× VXUS | 0.65 | $127B |
| 3 | BWLP Marine ShippingBW LPG Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +1.2% | +20.7% | +46.1% | +116% | +129% | +232% | +966% | +2,648% | 50.9%3.1× VXUS | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| 4 | MEDP Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchMedpace Holdings, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +3.8% | +23.8% | +28.6% | +14.5% | +19.6% | +187% | +250% | +2,003% | 52.1%3.2× VXUS | 0.73 | $18B |
| 5 | LLY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralEli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +11.7% | +12.5% | +42.3% | +21.5% | +61.9% | +131% | +461% | +1,870% | 32.8%2.0× VXUS | 1.22 | $1.2T |
| 6 | LPG Oil & Gas MidstreamDorian LPG Ltd. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.9% | +19.7% | +49.2% | +123% | +107% | +123% | +817% | +1,827% | 43.6%2.7× VXUS | 1.24 | $2.2B |
| 7 | COKE Beverages - Non-AlcoholicCoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.5% | +16.7% | +15.1% | +44.1% | +67.4% | +257% | +468% | +1,564% | 38.0%2.3× VXUS | 1.11 | $14B |
| 8 | MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +17.9% | +45.8% | +108% | +181% | +148% | +226% | +660% | +1,314% | 33.4%2.0× VXUS | 1.39 | $129B |
| 9 | CVI Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingCVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.5% | +68.6% | +88.5% | +134% | +62.6% | +105% | +289% | +1,306% | 52.4%3.2× VXUS | 0.79 | $5.9B |
| 10 | WSM Specialty RetailWilliams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.4% | +17.7% | +33.1% | +40.7% | +40.7% | +249% | +202% | +1,298% | 44.4%2.7× VXUS | 0.72 | $31B |
What stands out
The ETF leaders point to several sources of strength rather than one narrow theme. Technology was the largest category among the top ETFs, but international funds such as DXJ also ranked well, alongside broad-market and commodity funds. The popular alternatives show that the edge extended beyond a recent burst: DXJ, SPY, URTH, ACWI, and VT outperformed across all the listed short- and long-term timeframes. Other international comparisons were less consistent, with EFA and VWO falling short of the long-term bar.
The stock leaders were spread across Healthcare, Technology, Industrials, Energy, and other sectors, though Healthcare appeared more than once among the displayed names. Their results held across all the listed periods, but the risk figures show a bumpier ride than VXUS. Higher Sharpe ratios for all of the displayed stocks and most of the top ETFs indicate that their stronger returns were not simply a result of taking more risk, though the volatility gap was especially large for stocks.
Methodology
- Short-term periods: 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y. Long-term periods: 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than VXUS's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of VXUS's (whichever is larger) count as a tie and are shown in gray.
- Consistent means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods, so a recent hot streak alone is not enough. All-weather means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Rankings use long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then the 10Y return.
- Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
- 1 ETFs that track essentially the same returns as VXUS (IXUS) are excluded, since tiny fee differences decide whether they finish ahead.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years. The Sharpe ratio is return above cash divided by volatility over the same period: higher means more return per unit of risk.
- Returns and risk figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update with each market day. Past performance does not predict future results.