DLS vs VXUS
WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DLS or VXUS?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DLS led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | DLS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.50% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 1,014 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.78% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.90% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.10% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.07% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,071 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | 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).
DLS 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.
DLS vs VXUS Performance
WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund (DLS) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DLS returned +18.90% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, DLS is up 12.78% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, DLS compounded at +19.10% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.07% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, DLS has the edge at +5.13% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.0% 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 -48.4% for DLS 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DLS charges 0.58% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $5 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DLS currently yields 3.50% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 49.5% of DLS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
446 positions in common, counted across the 1,005 positions we hold weights for in DLS and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 1,014 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DLS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Ltd | 0.04% | 2.27% | 2.23% |
| HAUTO:OSHoegh Autoliners Asa | 0.85% | 0.00% | 0.85% |
| HAFNI:OSHafnia Ltd | 0.71% | 0.00% | 0.71% |
| ENO:MAElecnor Sa | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.59% |
| EMG:LNMan Group Plc/Jersey | 0.56% | 0.01% | 0.55% |
| DOFG:OSDof Group | 0.50% | 0.00% | 0.50% |
| FIBIH:ILFibi Holdings Ltd | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.46% |
| NOS:PTNos Sgps | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.46% |
| APAM:ASAperam Sa | 0.44% | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| 2356:HKDah Sing Banking Group | 0.43% | 0.00% | 0.43% |
49.5% of DLS is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DLS or VXUS?
DLS has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DLS or VXUS?
Over the past year DLS returned +18.90% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), DLS annualized +5.13% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DLS or VXUS?
DLS has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DLS -48.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both DLS and VXUS?
DLS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DLS and VXUS?
At least 49.5% of DLS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 446 positions in common, counted across the 1,005 positions we hold weights for in DLS and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DLS or VXUS?
DLS yields 3.50% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so DLS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DLS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DLS led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.