OVS vs VXUS
Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, OVS or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | OVS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.39% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 11 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.58% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.15% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.16% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.24% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.8% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,909 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | Overlay Shares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2019 to Sep 10, 2026 (6.9 years).
OVS 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
OVS vs VXUS Performance
Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF (OVS) is an ETF from Overlay Shares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year OVS returned +14.15% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, OVS is up 10.58% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, OVS compounded at +13.16% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.24% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +10.43% annualized vs +10.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
OVS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.8% compared with 16.3% 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 -45.1% for OVS and -35.1% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
OVS charges 0.83% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $5 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, OVS currently yields 8.39% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in OVS and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 100.1% and 87.7% 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 64 days apart, OVS as of Sep 2, 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 2 positions we hold weights for in OVS and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 11 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of OVS 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, OVS or VXUS?
OVS has an expense ratio of 0.83% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, OVS or VXUS?
Over the past year OVS returned +14.15% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), OVS annualized +10.28% vs +10.43% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, OVS or VXUS?
OVS has been the more volatile fund at 23.8% annualized versus 16.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: OVS -45.1% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both OVS and VXUS?
OVS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, OVS or VXUS?
OVS yields 8.39% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so OVS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than OVS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.