MSII vs VXUS
REX MSTR Growth & Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MSII or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led 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 | MSII | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.54% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 64.93% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 11 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 55.0% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.7% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $2,791 | $12,727Best |
| Fund Family | REX Shares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2025 | 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 104 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MSII has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 21, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2025 to Jun 9, 2026 (1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSII has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 55.0% compared with 14.6% 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 -78.7% for MSII and -11.3% 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 0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSII charges 1.54% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $154 vs $5 annually, a gap of $149 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSII currently yields 64.93% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in MSII and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 4.6% 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 212 days apart, MSII as of Dec 31, 2025 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 1 positions we hold weights for in MSII and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 11 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MSII 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, MSII or VXUS?
MSII has an expense ratio of 1.54% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $149 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MSII or VXUS?
MSII has been the more volatile fund at 55.0% annualized versus 14.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MSII -78.7% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both MSII and VXUS?
MSII and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.24, 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, MSII or VXUS?
MSII yields 64.93% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so MSII currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MSII?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.