MSSS vs VXUS
Monarch Select Subsector Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MSSS 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 | MSSS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.42% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $152M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.28% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 12 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.52%Best | +15.71% |
| 1Y Return | +15.25% | +25.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.1% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $14,087 | $15,696Best |
| Fund Family | Monarch Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 12, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 7, 2024 to Sep 8, 2026 (2.5 years).
MSSS 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
MSSS vs VXUS Performance
Monarch Select Subsector Index ETF (MSSS) is an ETF from Monarch Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MSSS returned +15.25% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, MSSS is up 16.52% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSSS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 11.2% 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 -19.1% for MSSS 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSSS charges 1.42% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $142 vs $5 annually, a gap of $137 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSSS currently yields 0.28% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 10 holdings in MSSS and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 87.5% 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 49 days apart, MSSS as of Aug 18, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 10 positions we hold weights for in MSSS and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 12 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MSSS 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, MSSS or VXUS?
MSSS has an expense ratio of 1.42% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $137 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MSSS or VXUS?
Over the past year MSSS returned +15.25% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MSSS or VXUS?
MSSS has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 11.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MSSS -19.1% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both MSSS and VXUS?
MSSS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, MSSS or VXUS?
MSSS yields 0.28% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MSSS?
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.