GLDY vs VXUS
Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GLDY or VXUS?
Multi Alternative 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 | GLDY | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.04% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.17% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 9 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.9% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,456 | $13,941Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 1, 2025 | 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 73 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GLDY has data through Jun 29, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2025 to Jun 29, 2026 (1.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GLDY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 13.3% 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 -25.9% for GLDY and -11.3% 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDY charges 1.04% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $104 vs $5 annually, a gap of $99 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLDY currently yields 3.17% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in GLDY and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 66.5% and 87.7% 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 122 days apart, GLDY as of Feb 28, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 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 5 positions we hold weights for in GLDY and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 9 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLDY 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, GLDY or VXUS?
GLDY has an expense ratio of 1.04% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $99 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GLDY or VXUS?
GLDY has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 13.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GLDY -25.9% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both GLDY and VXUS?
GLDY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, GLDY or VXUS?
GLDY yields 3.17% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GLDY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GLDY?
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.