SPLS vs VXUS
PIMCO US Stocks PLUS Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SPLS or VXUS?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SPLS 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 | SPLS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $88M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.54% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 3 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +10.71%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +10.71% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 145.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 15.7 years | $31,721Best | $20,049 |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 15, 2026 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 15.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
SPLS 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.
SPLS vs VXUS Performance
PIMCO US Stocks PLUS Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund (SPLS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPLS returned +10.71% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, SPLS is up 10.71% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 145.1% compared with 15.0% 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 -60.6% for SPLS 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 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPLS charges 0.18% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $5 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPLS currently yields 0.54% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in SPLS and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 98.3% and 91.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in SPLS and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 3 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPLS 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, SPLS or VXUS?
SPLS has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPLS or VXUS?
Over the past year SPLS returned +10.71% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SPLS annualized +7.63% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPLS or VXUS?
SPLS has been the more volatile fund at 145.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SPLS -60.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SPLS and VXUS?
SPLS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, 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, SPLS or VXUS?
SPLS yields 0.54% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SPLS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SPLS 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.