NIKL vs VXUS
Sprott Nickel Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NIKL or VXUS?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | NIKL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $59M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.66% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 27 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -13.54% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.23% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -1.24% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.7% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.0% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $9,116 | $18,002Best |
| Fund Family | Sprott ETFS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (3.5 years).
NIKL 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 3.5 years both funds cover.
NIKL vs VXUS Performance
Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) is an ETF from Sprott ETFS and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NIKL returned +10.23% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, NIKL is down 13.54% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, NIKL compounded at -1.24% per year against +19.58% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +18.29% annualized vs -2.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NIKL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.7% compared with 12.2% 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 -59.0% for NIKL 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NIKL charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NIKL currently yields 2.66% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 45.1% of NIKL'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
5 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in NIKL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 27 and 8,747.
45.1% of NIKL 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NIKL or VXUS?
NIKL has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NIKL or VXUS?
Over the past year NIKL returned +10.23% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), NIKL annualized -2.61% vs +18.29% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NIKL or VXUS?
NIKL has been the more volatile fund at 32.7% annualized versus 12.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: NIKL -59.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both NIKL and VXUS?
NIKL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 NIKL and VXUS?
At least 45.1% of NIKL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in NIKL and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, NIKL or VXUS?
NIKL yields 2.66% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so NIKL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NIKL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.