PSLV vs VXUS
Sprott Physical Silver Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PSLV or VXUS?
Silver against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS 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 | PSLV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -11.02% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | +45.48%Best | +21.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +39.08%Best | +20.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.40%Best | +9.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $27,473Best | $15,793 |
| Fund Family | Sprott Asset Management LP | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Silver | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 27, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 21, 2026 (15.6 years).
PSLV 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
PSLV vs VXUS Performance
Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) is an ETF from Sprott Asset Management LP and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PSLV returned +45.48% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, PSLV is down 11.02% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, PSLV compounded at +39.08% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +22.40% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs +3.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.9% compared with 15.0% 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 -79.4% for PSLV and -39.9% 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 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSLV charges 0.56% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $5 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSLV currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSLV 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, PSLV or VXUS?
PSLV has an expense ratio of 0.56% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSLV or VXUS?
Over the past year PSLV returned +45.48% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so PSLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PSLV annualized +3.69% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSLV or VXUS?
PSLV has been the more volatile fund at 31.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PSLV -79.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PSLV and VXUS?
PSLV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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, PSLV or VXUS?
PSLV yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PSLV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.