VXUS vs ZSC
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs USCF Sustainable Commodity Strategy Fund
Which is better, VXUS or ZSC?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over the full window, ZSC 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 | VXUS | ZSC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 8,844 | 3 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0%Best | 13.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6%Best | -26.5% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $16,499Best | $10,585 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | USCF Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Aug 9, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 12 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VXUS has data through Oct 14, 2026 and ZSC through Oct 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 9, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (3.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.9% compared with 12.0% 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 -13.6% for VXUS and -26.5% for ZSC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while ZSC charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $59 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.34% against 1.55% for ZSC.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and ZSC 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 ZSC?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while ZSC charges 0.59%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VXUS or ZSC?
ZSC has been the more volatile fund at 13.9% annualized versus 12.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -13.6% vs ZSC -26.5%.
Should I hold both VXUS and ZSC?
VXUS and ZSC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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, VXUS or ZSC?
VXUS yields 2.34% while ZSC yields 1.55%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZSC better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over the full window, ZSC over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.