GBXA vs VXUS
Goldman Sachs US Large Cap Buffer 1 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GBXA or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | GBXA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.34% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 6 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.9%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.3%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $10,407 | $13,431Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 30, 2024 | 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 170 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GBXA has data through Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2025 to Mar 31, 2026 (1.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 8.9% for GBXA. 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 -12.3% for GBXA and -13.6% 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GBXA charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GBXA currently yields 0.34% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in GBXA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% 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 212 days apart, GBXA as of Dec 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 1 positions we hold weights for in GBXA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 6 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GBXA 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, GBXA or VXUS?
GBXA has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GBXA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 8.9% for GBXA. Worst drawdown: GBXA -12.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both GBXA and VXUS?
GBXA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, GBXA or VXUS?
GBXA yields 0.34% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GBXA?
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.