VXUS vs XLSR
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street US Sector Rotation ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLSR?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, XLSR over 5Y and 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 | XLSR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $1.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 0.45% |
| Holdings | 8,844 | 26 |
| YTD Return | +10.00%Best | +7.62% |
| 1Y Return | +17.01%Best | +12.95% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.55%Best | +17.39% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.55% | +9.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -32.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,071 | $15,901Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Apr 2, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.5 years).
VXUS vs XLSR 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 7.5 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XLSR Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street US Sector Rotation ETF (XLSR) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% while XLSR returned +12.95%. Year to date, VXUS is up 10.00% versus a gain of 7.62% for XLSR.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.55% per year against +17.39% for XLSR; over five years the annualized figures are +8.55% and +9.72% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, XLSR has the edge at +12.30% annualized vs +8.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLSR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -32.9% for XLSR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLSR charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $70 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.34% against 0.45% for XLSR.
Holdings Overlap
At least 4.0% of XLSR'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.
XLSR 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 XLSR, against full books of 8,844 and 26.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 8,425 and 25 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 39 positions XLSR does not, 1.5% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.56%, VWO 0.11%, K 0.08%, QSR 0.06%, SUNB 0.06%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XLSR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.00% | 4.02% | 4.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLSR 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 XLSR?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLSR charges 0.70%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLSR?
Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% vs +12.95% for XLSR, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), VXUS annualized +8.66% vs +12.30% for XLSR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLSR?
XLSR has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 16.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -35.1% vs XLSR -32.9%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLSR?
VXUS and XLSR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 XLSR?
At least 4.0% of XLSR'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 XLSR.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XLSR?
VXUS yields 2.34% while XLSR yields 0.45%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLSR better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, XLSR over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.