FSSL vs VXUS
FS Specialty Lending Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FSSL or VXUS?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led 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 | FSSL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 6.98% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.40% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 161 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | -6.82% | +6.50%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.47% | +12.09%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.15% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +7.38% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 15.5%Best |
| Fund Family | FS Specialty Lending Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 18, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
FSSL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FSSL vs VXUS Performance
FS Specialty Lending Fund (FSSL) is an ETF from FS Specialty Lending Fund and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FSSL returned -1.47% while VXUS returned +12.09%. Year to date, FSSL is down 6.82% versus a gain of 6.50% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSSL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 15.5% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSSL charges 6.98% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $698 vs $5 annually, a gap of $693 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSSL currently yields 10.40% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8 holdings in FSSL and 8,463 in VXUS, totalling 9.7% and 89.2% 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 92 days apart, FSSL as of Jun 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Sep 30, 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 8 positions we hold weights for in FSSL and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 161 and 9,293.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSSL 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, FSSL or VXUS?
FSSL has an expense ratio of 6.98% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $693 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSSL or VXUS?
Over the past year FSSL returned -1.47% vs +12.09% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSSL or VXUS?
FSSL has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 15.5% for VXUS.
Should I hold both FSSL and VXUS?
FSSL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.44, 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, FSSL or VXUS?
FSSL yields 10.40% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so FSSL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FSSL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.