LIMI vs VXUS
Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, LIMI or VXUS?
Precious Metals against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LIMI 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 | LIMI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.40% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 52 | 8,844 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.4% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.8% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $16,284Best | $14,383 |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Precious Metals | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2024 | 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 22 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LIMI has data through Sep 21, 2026 and VXUS through Oct 13, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2024 to Sep 21, 2026 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LIMI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.4% compared with 12.0% 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 -43.8% for LIMI and -13.6% 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LIMI charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LIMI currently yields 0.40% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 50.6% of LIMI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% 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.
18 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in LIMI and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 52 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LIMI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLS:AUPilbara Minerals Limited Ordinary Fully Paid | 10.67% | 0.02% | 10.65% |
| 002466:SHTianqi Lithium Corp | 4.69% | 0.00% | 4.69% |
| CXO:AUCore Lithium Ltd | 4.64% | 0.00% | 4.64% |
| IGO:AUIGO Limited | 4.59% | 0.01% | 4.58% |
| MIN:AUMineral Resources Ltd | 3.53% | 0.02% | 3.51% |
| LTR:AULiontown Resources Limited | 3.25% | 0.00% | 3.25% |
| ELV:AUElevra Lithium Ltd | 3.07% | 0.00% | 3.07% |
| ERA:PAEramet SA | 2.76% | 0.00% | 2.76% |
| 300037:SHShenzhen Capchem Technology Co. Ltd. Class A | 2.49% | 0.00% | 2.49% |
| 600549:SHXiamen Tungsten Co. Ltd. Class A | 2.24% | 0.00% | 2.24% |
50.6% of LIMI 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, LIMI or VXUS?
LIMI has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LIMI or VXUS?
LIMI has been the more volatile fund at 40.4% annualized versus 12.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: LIMI -43.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both LIMI and VXUS?
LIMI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 LIMI and VXUS?
At least 50.6% of LIMI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in LIMI and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, LIMI or VXUS?
LIMI yields 0.40% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than LIMI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LIMI 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.