GYLD vs VXUS
Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GYLD or VXUS?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
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 | GYLD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $38M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.20% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 155 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.36% | +12.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.52% | +19.73%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.82% | +20.91%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.86% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,934 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Arrow Investment Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 8, 2012 to Sep 29, 2026 (14.4 years).
GYLD 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 14.4 years both funds cover.
GYLD vs VXUS Performance
Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD) is an ETF from Arrow Investment Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GYLD returned +10.52% while VXUS returned +19.73%. Year to date, GYLD is up 7.36% versus a gain of 12.34% for VXUS.
Over three years, GYLD compounded at +14.82% per year against +20.91% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.86% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.08% annualized vs -1.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GYLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 14.2% 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 -70.0% for GYLD 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
GYLD charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GYLD currently yields 7.20% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 117 holdings in GYLD and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 78.7% and 88.8% 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, 23 positions appear in both.
23 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in GYLD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 155 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GYLD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADRO:IDAdaro Energy Tbk Pt | 1.03% | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| BBRI:IDBank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk Pt | 0.98% | 0.03% | 0.95% |
| SDLF:LNStandard Life Plc | 0.96% | 0.02% | 0.94% |
| ITMG:IDIndo Tambangraya Megah Tbk Pt | 0.97% | 0.00% | 0.97% |
| UNTR:IDUnited Tractors Tbk Pt | 0.96% | 0.00% | 0.96% |
| GFNORTEO:MXGrupo Financiero Banorte Sab De Cv | 0.85% | 0.08% | 0.77% |
| 0IKH:LNKomercni Banka As | 0.91% | 0.01% | 0.90% |
| BBAJIOO:MXBanco Del Bajio Sa | 0.87% | 0.01% | 0.86% |
| ASII:IDAstra International Tbk Pt Ord Idr50 | 0.87% | 0.01% | 0.86% |
| SCMA:IDSurya Citra Media Tbk Pt | 0.87% | 0.00% | 0.87% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GYLD 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, GYLD or VXUS?
GYLD has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GYLD or VXUS?
Over the past year GYLD returned +10.52% vs +19.73% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), GYLD annualized -1.14% vs +6.08% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GYLD or VXUS?
GYLD has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 14.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GYLD -70.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GYLD and VXUS?
GYLD 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, GYLD or VXUS?
GYLD yields 7.20% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GYLD?
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.