METL vs VXUS
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, METL or VXUS?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. METL led over 1Y.
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 | METL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $92M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 43 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.45% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +43.56%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.1% | 13.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Sprott ETFS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 9, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
METL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
METL vs VXUS Performance
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) is an ETF from Sprott ETFS and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year METL returned +43.56% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, METL is up 9.45% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
METL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.1% compared with 13.8% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
METL charges 0.99% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $5 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, METL currently yields 1.03% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 43.9% of METL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% 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 METL and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 43 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in METL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCO:CACameco Corp Common Stock | 4.00% | 0.10% | 3.90% |
| NXE:CANexgen Energy Ltd | 3.83% | 0.01% | 3.82% |
| DML:CADenison Mines Corp | 3.80% | 0.01% | 3.79% |
| HBM:CAHudbay Minerals Inc | 3.71% | 0.02% | 3.69% |
| LYC:AULynas Corp Ltd | 3.70% | 0.02% | 3.68% |
| LUN:CALundin Mining Corp. | 3.13% | 0.04% | 3.09% |
| PDN:AUPaladin Energy, Ltd. | 3.05% | 0.01% | 3.04% |
| PAAS:CAPan American Silver Corp | 2.93% | 0.04% | 2.89% |
| IVN:CAIvanhoe Mines Ltd., Class A | 2.80% | 0.01% | 2.79% |
| VZLA:CAVizsla Silver Corp. | 2.76% | 0.00% | 2.76% |
43.9% of METL 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, METL or VXUS?
METL has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, METL or VXUS?
Over the past year METL returned +43.56% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so METL leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, METL or VXUS?
METL has been the more volatile fund at 38.1% annualized versus 13.8% for VXUS.
Should I hold both METL and VXUS?
METL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 METL and VXUS?
At least 43.9% of METL'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 METL and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, METL or VXUS?
METL yields 1.03% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than METL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. METL led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.