VXUS vs XLC
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLC?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XLC 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 | VXUS | XLC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $22.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 1.28% |
| Holdings | 8,844 | 54 |
| YTD Return | +10.00%Best | -4.34% |
| 1Y Return | +17.01%Best | -2.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.55%Best | +18.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.55%Best | +7.74% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -46.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,071Best | $14,517 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jun 18, 2018 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.3 years).
VXUS vs XLC 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 8.3 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XLC Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLC) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% while XLC returned -2.09%. Year to date, VXUS is up 10.00% versus a loss of 4.34% for XLC.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.55% per year against +18.99% for XLC; over five years the annualized figures are +8.55% and +7.74% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, XLC has the edge at +10.82% annualized vs +7.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 16.0% 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 -35.1% for VXUS and -46.6% for XLC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLC charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $8 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.34% against 1.28% for XLC.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.1% of XLC'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.
XLC and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 25 in XLC, against full books of 8,844 and 54.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XLC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.00% | 8.14% | 8.14% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLC 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, VXUS or XLC?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLC charges 0.08%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLC?
Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% vs -2.09% for XLC, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), VXUS annualized +7.30% vs +10.82% for XLC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLC?
XLC has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 16.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -35.1% vs XLC -46.6%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLC?
VXUS and XLC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 VXUS and XLC?
At least 8.1% of XLC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 25 in XLC.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XLC?
VXUS yields 2.34% while XLC yields 1.28%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLC better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XLC over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.