MSLC vs VXUS
Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MSLC or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | MSLC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.92% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 789 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.58% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.07% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.9% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,465 | $14,838Best |
| Fund Family | Morgan Stanley | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.8 years).
MSLC 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MSLC vs VXUS Performance
Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF (MSLC) is an ETF from Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MSLC returned +14.07% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, MSLC is up 10.58% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 11.3% 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 -17.9% for MSLC 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSLC charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSLC currently yields 1.92% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.3% of MSLC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
MSLC and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 52 days apart, MSLC as of Aug 21, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
15 positions in common, counted across the 785 positions we hold weights for in MSLC and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 789 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MSLC | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BN:CABrookfield Corp | 0.66% | 0.20% | 0.46% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.23% | 0.00% | 0.23% |
| CSU:CAConstellation Software Inc/Canada | 0.10% | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| CLS:CACelestica, Inc | 0.07% | 0.09% | 0.02% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.06% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| RBA:CARb Global Inc | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| BAM:CABrookfield Corporation (Canada) | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MSLC 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, MSLC or VXUS?
MSLC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MSLC or VXUS?
Over the past year MSLC returned +14.07% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MSLC annualized +13.02% vs +24.51% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MSLC or VXUS?
MSLC has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 11.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MSLC -17.9% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both MSLC and VXUS?
MSLC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 MSLC and VXUS?
At least 1.3% of MSLC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 785 positions we hold weights for in MSLC and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, MSLC or VXUS?
MSLC yields 1.92% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MSLC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.