CSM vs VXUS
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CSM or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CSM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS 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 | CSM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $530M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 308 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.40% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.24% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.30%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.26%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.1%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,829Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2009 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
CSM 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
CSM vs VXUS Performance
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CSM returned +19.24% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, CSM is up 11.40% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, CSM compounded at +21.30% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.26% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, CSM has the edge at +13.66% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.8% for CSM. 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 -36.1% for CSM and -39.9% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSM charges 0.45% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $5 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSM currently yields 1.04% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 298 holdings in CSM and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 89.6% and 87.5% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 4 positions appear in both.
4 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in CSM and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 308 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CSM 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, CSM or VXUS?
CSM has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CSM or VXUS?
Over the past year CSM returned +19.24% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), CSM annualized +13.66% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CSM or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.8% for CSM. Worst drawdown: CSM -36.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both CSM and VXUS?
CSM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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, CSM or VXUS?
CSM yields 1.04% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CSM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CSM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.