FSLD vs VXUS
Fidelity Sustainable Low Duration Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FSLD or VXUS?
Short Term Bond 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 | FSLD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.40% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 227 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.8%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.6%Best | -20.2% |
| $10,000 over 3.6 years | $11,532 | $14,518Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 313 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FSLD has data through Nov 13, 2025 and VXUS through Sep 22, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 21, 2022 to Nov 13, 2025 (3.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 0.8% for FSLD. 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 -0.6% for FSLD and -20.2% 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSLD charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSLD currently yields 4.40% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 231 holdings in FSLD 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.
The two holdings books were reported 334 days apart, FSLD as of Aug 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 231 positions we hold weights for in FSLD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 227 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSLD 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, FSLD or VXUS?
FSLD has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FSLD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 0.8% for FSLD. Worst drawdown: FSLD -0.6% vs VXUS -20.2%.
Should I hold both FSLD and VXUS?
FSLD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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, FSLD or VXUS?
FSLD yields 4.40% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FSLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FSLD?
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.