GXC vs VXUS
State Street SPDR S&P China ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GXC or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | GXC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $474M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.19% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 1,267 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -8.39% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.85% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.32% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.31% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,451 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 19, 2007 | 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).
GXC 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.
GXC vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P China ETF (GXC) 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 GXC returned -3.85% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, GXC is down 8.39% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, GXC compounded at +9.32% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.31% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +1.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GXC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.8% 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 -60.2% for GXC 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GXC charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GXC currently yields 2.19% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 56.2% of GXC'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.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, GXC as of Mar 31, 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.
856 positions in common, counted across the 1,233 positions we hold weights for in GXC and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 1,267 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GXC | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 8.30% | 0.49% | 7.81% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 2.17% | 0.13% | 2.04% |
| 3690:SHMeituan-class B | 1.71% | 0.11% | 1.60% |
| 2318:HKPing An Insurance | 1.38% | 0.09% | 1.29% |
| 2594:TKByd Co Ltd H | 1.41% | 0.00% | 1.41% |
| JDJd.com Inc | 1.21% | 0.07% | 1.14% |
| 600519:SHKweichow Moutai Co. Ltd. A Shares | 0.56% | 0.03% | 0.53% |
| 3328:SHBank Of Communications Co Ltd | 0.58% | 0.01% | 0.57% |
| 9987:CNYum China Holdings Inc | 0.54% | 0.02% | 0.52% |
| 1024:HKKuaishou Technology | 0.46% | 0.03% | 0.43% |
56.2% of GXC 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, GXC or VXUS?
GXC has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GXC or VXUS?
Over the past year GXC returned -3.85% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), GXC annualized +1.98% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GXC or VXUS?
GXC has been the more volatile fund at 22.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GXC -60.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GXC and VXUS?
GXC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 GXC and VXUS?
At least 56.2% of GXC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 856 positions in common, counted across the 1,233 positions we hold weights for in GXC and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GXC or VXUS?
GXC yields 2.19% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GXC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.