LEAD vs VXUS
Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, LEAD or VXUS?
LEAD has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over 1Y 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 | LEAD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.55% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 54 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 10.5 years | $38,396Best | $22,965 |
| Fund Family | SRN Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 66 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LEAD has data through Jul 14, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 6, 2016 to Jul 14, 2026 (10.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LEAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.9% 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 -32.2% for LEAD 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LEAD 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, LEAD currently yields 0.55% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 53 holdings in LEAD and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, LEAD as of Apr 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in LEAD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 54 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LEAD 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, LEAD or VXUS?
LEAD 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 is riskier, LEAD or VXUS?
LEAD has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: LEAD -32.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both LEAD and VXUS?
LEAD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, LEAD or VXUS?
LEAD yields 0.55% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than LEAD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.