SMCF vs VXUS
Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMCF or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMCF led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | SMCF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.23% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 76 | 8,844 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 11.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.0% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $15,929 | $16,743Best |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2023 | 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 23 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SMCF has data through Sep 21, 2026 and VXUS through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2023 to Sep 21, 2026 (2.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 11.0% 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 -28.0% for SMCF and -13.6% 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMCF charges 0.29% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $5 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMCF currently yields 3.23% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.8% of SMCF'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in SMCF and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 76 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMCF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.78% | 0.04% | 0.74% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMCF 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, SMCF or VXUS?
SMCF has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SMCF or VXUS?
SMCF has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 11.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SMCF -28.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both SMCF and VXUS?
SMCF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, 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, SMCF or VXUS?
SMCF yields 3.23% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so SMCF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMCF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMCF led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.