DIA vs VXUS
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DIA or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DIA led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | DIA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $45.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.38% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 31 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.92% | +13.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.04% | +21.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.27% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.07%Best | +9.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.1%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,156Best | $15,499 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 1998 | 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 25, 2026 (15.7 years).
DIA 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
DIA vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DIA returned +14.04% while VXUS returned +21.98%. Year to date, DIA is up 7.92% versus a gain of 13.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, DIA compounded at +17.27% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.07% and +9.16% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, DIA has the edge at +10.58% annualized vs +4.75%.
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 13.9% for DIA. 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 -37.1% for DIA 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIA charges 0.16% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $5 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIA currently yields 1.38% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 30 holdings in DIA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.8% 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 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 31 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 30 and 8,082 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions DIA does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DIA 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, DIA or VXUS?
DIA has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIA or VXUS?
Over the past year DIA returned +14.04% vs +21.98% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), DIA annualized +10.58% vs +4.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.9% for DIA. Worst drawdown: DIA -37.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both DIA and VXUS?
DIA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, DIA or VXUS?
DIA yields 1.38% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DIA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DIA led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.