GNR vs VXUS
State Street SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GNR or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GNR led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y 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 | GNR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.52% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 112 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +26.06%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +40.66%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.71% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.55%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,060Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 13, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
GNR 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
GNR vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF (GNR) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GNR returned +40.66% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, GNR is up 26.06% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, GNR compounded at +15.71% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.55% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +3.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GNR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 15.0% 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 -60.6% for GNR 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GNR charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GNR currently yields 2.52% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 44.3% of GNR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
41 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in GNR and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 112 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GNR | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 5.31% | 0.30% | 5.01% |
| SHELShell Plc | 4.30% | 0.48% | 3.82% |
| NTR:CANutrien Ltd | 3.98% | 0.07% | 3.91% |
| UPM:FIUpm-kymmene Oyj | 2.76% | 0.03% | 2.73% |
| AEM:CAAgnico Eagle Mines Ltd | 2.14% | 0.18% | 1.96% |
| ABX:CABarrick Gold Corp | 1.75% | 0.08% | 1.67% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 1.62% | 0.18% | 1.44% |
| AAL:LNAnglo American Plc | 1.53% | 0.12% | 1.41% |
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | 1.46% | 0.11% | 1.35% |
| YAR:OSYara International ASA Shs | 1.36% | 0.02% | 1.34% |
44.3% of GNR is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GNR or VXUS?
GNR has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GNR or VXUS?
Over the past year GNR returned +40.66% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so GNR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), GNR annualized +3.15% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GNR or VXUS?
GNR has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GNR -60.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GNR and VXUS?
GNR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GNR and VXUS?
At least 44.3% of GNR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in GNR and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GNR or VXUS?
GNR yields 2.52% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GNR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GNR led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.