GSEW vs VXUS
Goldman Sachs Equal Weight US Large Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GSEW or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GSEW led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | GSEW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.34% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 500 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.61% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.69% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.90% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.24% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,857 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 14, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9 years).
GSEW 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 9 years both funds cover.
GSEW vs VXUS Performance
Goldman Sachs Equal Weight US Large Cap Equity ETF (GSEW) 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 GSEW returned +12.69% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, GSEW is up 11.61% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, GSEW compounded at +16.90% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.24% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, GSEW has the edge at +11.65% annualized vs +7.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 15.6% 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 -38.6% for GSEW 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSEW charges 0.09% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $5 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSEW currently yields 1.34% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 412 holdings in GSEW and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 82.5% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 7 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, GSEW as of Aug 17, 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.
7 positions in common, counted across the 412 positions we hold weights for in GSEW and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 500 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GSEW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.21% | 0.07% | 0.14% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 0.20% | 0.05% | 0.15% |
| AMRZ:SMAmrize Ltd | 0.18% | 0.06% | 0.12% |
| STX:AUStrike Energy Ltd Common Stock | 0.22% | 0.00% | 0.22% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.21% | 0.01% | 0.20% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.20% | 0.00% | 0.20% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.20% | 0.00% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GSEW 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, GSEW or VXUS?
GSEW has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSEW or VXUS?
Over the past year GSEW returned +12.69% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GSEW annualized +11.65% vs +7.25% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSEW or VXUS?
GSEW has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GSEW -38.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GSEW and VXUS?
GSEW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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, GSEW or VXUS?
GSEW yields 1.34% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GSEW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GSEW led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.