CAS vs VXUS
Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CAS or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | CAS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 26.55% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 47 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.15% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.25% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.4% | 11.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.1% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,699 | $15,525Best |
| Fund Family | Simplify Exchange Traded Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 14, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.7 years).
CAS 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
CAS vs VXUS Performance
Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF (CAS) is an ETF from Simplify Exchange Traded Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CAS returned -12.25% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, CAS is up 6.15% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.4% compared with 11.6% 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 -24.1% for CAS and -13.6% 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAS charges 0.88% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $5 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAS currently yields 26.55% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in CAS and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 40.8% and 88.8% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in CAS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 47 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAS 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, CAS or VXUS?
CAS has an expense ratio of 0.88% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAS or VXUS?
Over the past year CAS returned -12.25% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), CAS annualized +15.09% vs +29.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CAS or VXUS?
CAS has been the more volatile fund at 27.4% annualized versus 11.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: CAS -24.1% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both CAS and VXUS?
CAS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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, CAS or VXUS?
CAS yields 26.55% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so CAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CAS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.