SLY vs VXUS
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SLY or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over 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 | SLY | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.62% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 605 | 8,844 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 12.4 years | $34,567Best | $12,175 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1222 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SLY has data through Jun 9, 2023 and VXUS through Oct 13, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 12.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Jun 9, 2023 (12.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 15.6% 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 -44.5% for SLY 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLY charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLY currently yields 1.62% against 2.34% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLY 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, SLY or VXUS?
SLY has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SLY or VXUS?
SLY has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 15.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SLY -44.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SLY and VXUS?
SLY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLY or VXUS?
SLY yields 1.62% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SLY?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.