HSCZ vs VXUS
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HSCZ or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HSCZ led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | HSCZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $262M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.04% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,184 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.38% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.10% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.62% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.88%Best | +9.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.1%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,760Best | $15,793 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 29, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2015 to Sep 21, 2026 (11.2 years).
HSCZ 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 11.2 years both funds cover.
HSCZ vs VXUS Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (HSCZ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HSCZ returned +20.10% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, HSCZ is up 13.38% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, HSCZ compounded at +19.62% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.88% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, HSCZ has the edge at +8.74% annualized vs +6.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 13.8% for HSCZ. 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 -37.1% for HSCZ 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HSCZ charges 0.43% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $5 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HSCZ currently yields 3.04% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in HSCZ and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in HSCZ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 2,184 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HSCZ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEK:AUSeek Ltd | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HSCZ 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, HSCZ or VXUS?
HSCZ has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HSCZ or VXUS?
Over the past year HSCZ returned +20.10% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), HSCZ annualized +8.74% vs +6.51% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HSCZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.8% for HSCZ. Worst drawdown: HSCZ -37.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both HSCZ and VXUS?
HSCZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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, HSCZ or VXUS?
HSCZ yields 3.04% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so HSCZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HSCZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HSCZ led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.