SGDJ vs VXUS
Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SGDJ or VXUS?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SGDJ led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | SGDJ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $323M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.91% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 33 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -3.53% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.61% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +53.02%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.90%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.9% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,763Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | Sprott ETFS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 31, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.5 years).
SGDJ 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 11.5 years both funds cover.
SGDJ vs VXUS Performance
Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (SGDJ) is an ETF from Sprott ETFS and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SGDJ returned +11.61% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, SGDJ is down 3.53% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, SGDJ compounded at +53.02% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +18.90% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SGDJ has the edge at +13.97% annualized vs +6.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SGDJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.9% compared with 14.9% 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 -59.3% for SGDJ 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SGDJ charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SGDJ currently yields 7.91% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 52.0% of SGDJ'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
15 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in SGDJ and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 33 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SGDJ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WDO:CAWesdome Gold Mines Ltd | 5.70% | 0.01% | 5.69% |
| MI6:AUMinerals 260 Ltd | 5.36% | 0.00% | 5.36% |
| KOZAL:TRTurk Altin Isletmeleri As | 4.60% | 0.00% | 4.60% |
| FVI:CAFortuna Mining Corp | 4.52% | 0.01% | 4.51% |
| EMR:AUEmerald Resources | 4.42% | 0.01% | 4.41% |
| KCN:AUKingsgate Consolidated Ltd | 4.32% | 0.00% | 4.32% |
| CYL:AUCatalyst Metals Ltd | 4.11% | 0.00% | 4.11% |
| OBM:AUOra Banda Mining Ltd. | 4.02% | 0.00% | 4.02% |
| AAUC:CAAllied Gold Sub Receipt Pp | 3.96% | 0.00% | 3.96% |
| ALK:AUAlkane Resources Ltd | 3.84% | 0.00% | 3.84% |
52.0% of SGDJ is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SGDJ or VXUS?
SGDJ has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SGDJ or VXUS?
Over the past year SGDJ returned +11.61% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), SGDJ annualized +13.97% vs +6.03% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SGDJ or VXUS?
SGDJ has been the more volatile fund at 40.9% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SGDJ -59.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SGDJ and VXUS?
SGDJ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 SGDJ and VXUS?
At least 52.0% of SGDJ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in SGDJ and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SGDJ or VXUS?
SGDJ yields 7.91% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so SGDJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SGDJ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SGDJ led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.