SQLT vs VXUS
iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SQLT or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | SQLT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.50% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 513 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +6.92% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2026 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
SQLT 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SQLT vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF (SQLT) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, SQLT is up 6.92% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SQLT charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SQLT currently yields 0.50% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.2% of SQLT'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.
SQLT and VXUS share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 489 positions we hold weights for in SQLT and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 513 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SQLT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.35% | 0.00% | 0.35% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.23% | 0.01% | 0.22% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.14% | 0.02% | 0.12% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.10% | 0.04% | 0.06% |
| CASHMeta Financial Group Inc | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SQLT 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, SQLT or VXUS?
SQLT has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between SQLT and VXUS?
At least 1.2% of SQLT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 489 positions we hold weights for in SQLT and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SQLT or VXUS?
SQLT yields 0.50% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SQLT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.