LST vs VXUS
Leuthold Select Industries ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, LST or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LST led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | LST | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $178M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 122 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +17.51%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +21.69%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 11.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.5% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $13,800 | $14,903Best |
| Fund Family | Leuthold Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2000 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 21, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.7 years).
LST 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
LST vs VXUS Performance
Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) is an ETF from Leuthold Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LST returned +21.69% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, LST is up 17.51% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 11.8% 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 -19.5% for LST 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LST charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LST currently yields 1.12% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.8% of LST's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
LST and VXUS share little of their money.
10 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in LST and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 122 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LST | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGC:CAKinross Gold Corp | 1.37% | 0.06% | 1.31% |
| CM:CACanadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 1.19% | 0.24% | 0.95% |
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.46% | 0.76% | 0.30% |
| IMG:CAIamgold Corp | 1.07% | 0.02% | 1.05% |
| AEM:CAAgnico Eagle Mines Ltd | 0.79% | 0.17% | 0.62% |
| GSK:LNGSK plc | 0.64% | 0.23% | 0.41% |
| ELD:CAEldorado Gold Corp | 0.80% | 0.02% | 0.78% |
| TS:LUTenaris Sa Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 2 Ordinary) | 0.56% | 0.00% | 0.56% |
| EQX:CAEquinox Gold Corp | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| PAAS:CAPan American Silver Corp. | 0.45% | 0.04% | 0.41% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LST 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, LST or VXUS?
LST has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LST or VXUS?
Over the past year LST returned +21.69% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so LST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LST annualized +20.86% vs +26.45% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LST or VXUS?
LST has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 11.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: LST -19.5% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both LST and VXUS?
LST 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.
What is the holdings overlap between LST and VXUS?
At least 7.8% of LST's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in LST and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, LST or VXUS?
LST yields 1.12% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than LST?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. LST led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.