QALT vs VXUS
SEI DBi Multi-Strategy Alternative ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QALT or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
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 | QALT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $195M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.98% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 17 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.22% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.15% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.2%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.8%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,215 | $12,391Best |
| Fund Family | SEI EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 25, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1.1 years).
QALT 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
QALT vs VXUS Performance
SEI DBi Multi-Strategy Alternative ETF (QALT) is an ETF from SEI EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QALT returned +10.15% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, QALT is up 6.22% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 7.2% for QALT. 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 -4.8% for QALT and -11.3% 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
QALT charges 0.80% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $5 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QALT currently yields 5.98% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in QALT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 3.6% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in QALT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 17 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QALT 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, QALT or VXUS?
QALT has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QALT or VXUS?
Over the past year QALT returned +10.15% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QALT annualized +10.99% vs +21.52% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QALT or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 7.2% for QALT. Worst drawdown: QALT -4.8% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both QALT and VXUS?
QALT 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, QALT or VXUS?
QALT yields 5.98% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so QALT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QALT?
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.