DSI vs VXUS
iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DSI or VXUS?
DSI has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | DSI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5.6B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 407 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +14.91%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +18.65%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.34%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.38%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,924Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 14, 2006 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
DSI 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
DSI vs VXUS Performance
iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DSI returned +18.65% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, DSI is up 14.91% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, DSI compounded at +22.34% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.38% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, DSI has the edge at +12.78% annualized vs +4.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.6% for DSI. 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 -34.1% for DSI and -39.9% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSI charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSI currently yields 0.87% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 4.7% of DSI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
DSI and VXUS share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 404 positions we hold weights for in DSI and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 407 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DSI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabate, Inc Class C | 4.35% | 0.00% | 4.35% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.09% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.14% | 0.00% | 0.14% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.09% | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| MTX:SGMinerals Technologies Inc | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| GMEGameStop Corp | 0.03% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DSI 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, DSI or VXUS?
DSI has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSI or VXUS?
Over the past year DSI returned +18.65% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so DSI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), DSI annualized +12.78% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.6% for DSI. Worst drawdown: DSI -34.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both DSI and VXUS?
DSI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 DSI and VXUS?
At least 4.7% of DSI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 404 positions we hold weights for in DSI and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DSI or VXUS?
DSI yields 0.87% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DSI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.