GSEU vs VXUS
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GSEU or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | GSEU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $170M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.69% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 680 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +3.77% | +11.16%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.32% | +17.13%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.54% | +20.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.53% | +9.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,057 | $15,514Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 2, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 4, 2016 to Oct 1, 2026 (10.6 years).
GSEU 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 10.6 years both funds cover.
GSEU vs VXUS Performance
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF (GSEU) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GSEU returned +9.32% while VXUS returned +17.13%. Year to date, GSEU is up 3.77% versus a gain of 11.16% for VXUS.
Over three years, GSEU compounded at +17.54% per year against +20.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.53% and +9.18% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +8.04% annualized vs +7.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSEU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.7% 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 -39.4% for GSEU 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSEU charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSEU currently yields 2.69% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 74.4% of GSEU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of GSEU is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, GSEU as of Sep 15, 2026 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.
253 positions in common, counted across the 339 positions we hold weights for in GSEU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 680 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GSEU | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 4.34% | 1.42% | 2.92% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 2.13% | 0.82% | 1.31% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.68% | 0.65% | 1.03% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.46% | 0.57% | 0.89% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.14% | 0.58% | 0.56% |
| SANBanco Santander, S.A Sponsored Adr - Sponsored (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 1.50% | 0.00% | 1.50% |
| BBVA:MABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Reg Shs | 1.03% | 0.35% | 0.68% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola Sa | 0.85% | 0.37% | 0.48% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.75% | 0.37% | 0.38% |
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC Ord Gbp0.20 | 0.70% | 0.38% | 0.32% |
74.4% of GSEU 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, GSEU or VXUS?
GSEU has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSEU or VXUS?
Over the past year GSEU returned +9.32% vs +17.13% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), GSEU annualized +7.47% vs +8.04% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSEU or VXUS?
GSEU has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GSEU -39.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GSEU and VXUS?
GSEU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 GSEU and VXUS?
At least 74.4% of GSEU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 253 positions in common, counted across the 339 positions we hold weights for in GSEU and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSEU or VXUS?
GSEU yields 2.69% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GSEU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GSEU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.