GSIE vs VXUS
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GSIE or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GSIE led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | GSIE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $6.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.45% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 673 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.69% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.83% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.03% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.54% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,064 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 10, 2015 to Sep 10, 2026 (10.8 years).
GSIE 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 10.8 years both funds cover.
GSIE vs VXUS Performance
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF (GSIE) 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 GSIE returned +17.83% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, GSIE is up 10.69% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, GSIE compounded at +18.03% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.54% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, GSIE has the edge at +7.66% annualized vs +7.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.5% for GSIE. 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 -37.2% for GSIE 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSIE 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, GSIE currently yields 2.45% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 79.4% of GSIE'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.
Most of GSIE is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, GSIE 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.
498 positions in common, counted across the 640 positions we hold weights for in GSIE and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 673 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GSIE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Adr Representing Nv | 2.27% | 1.70% | 0.57% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 1.10% | 0.72% | 0.38% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 1.14% | 0.64% | 0.50% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.96% | 0.65% | 0.31% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 1.02% | 0.33% | 0.69% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 0.69% | 0.62% | 0.07% |
| TD:CAToronto Dominion Bank/The | 0.81% | 0.45% | 0.36% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.56% | 0.59% | 0.03% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 0.57% | 0.52% | 0.05% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 0.56% | 0.48% | 0.08% |
79.4% of GSIE 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, GSIE or VXUS?
GSIE 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, GSIE or VXUS?
Over the past year GSIE returned +17.83% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), GSIE annualized +7.66% vs +7.54% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSIE or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.5% for GSIE. Worst drawdown: GSIE -37.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GSIE and VXUS?
GSIE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 GSIE and VXUS?
At least 79.4% of GSIE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 498 positions in common, counted across the 640 positions we hold weights for in GSIE and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSIE or VXUS?
GSIE yields 2.45% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GSIE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GSIE led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.