GAL vs VXUS
State Street Global Allocation ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GAL or VXUS?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. 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 | GAL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $323M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.25% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 37 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +6.15% | +8.79%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.70% | +12.87%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.89% | +18.94%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.92% | +8.11%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.9%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,332 | $14,768Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 25, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2012 to Nov 10, 2026 (14.5 years).
GAL 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 14.5 years both funds cover.
GAL vs VXUS Performance
State Street Global Allocation ETF (GAL) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GAL returned +7.70% while VXUS returned +12.87%. Year to date, GAL is up 6.15% versus a gain of 8.79% for VXUS.
Over three years, GAL compounded at +13.89% per year against +18.94% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.92% and +8.11% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.52% annualized vs +5.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 9.9% for GAL. 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 -28.3% for GAL 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
GAL charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAL currently yields 3.25% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.9% of GAL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
GAL and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in GAL and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 37 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPLVanguard Ftse Pacific ETF | 1.88% | 0.00% | 1.88% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GAL 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, GAL or VXUS?
GAL has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAL or VXUS?
Over the past year GAL returned +7.70% vs +12.87% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), GAL annualized +5.33% vs +5.52% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 9.9% for GAL. Worst drawdown: GAL -28.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GAL and VXUS?
GAL 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 GAL and VXUS?
At least 1.9% of GAL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in GAL and 8,463 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAL or VXUS?
GAL yields 3.25% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so GAL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GAL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. 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.