QLTI vs VXUS
GMO International Quality ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QLTI or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth 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 | QLTI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $299M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.58% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 38 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.61% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.53% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3% | 11.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.8% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $10,760 | $14,682Best |
| Fund Family | GMO | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 28, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.9 years).
QLTI 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
QLTI vs VXUS Performance
GMO International Quality ETF (QLTI) is an ETF from GMO and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLTI returned +5.53% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, QLTI is down 0.61% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 11.6% 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 -14.8% for QLTI 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLTI charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLTI currently yields 0.58% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 35.5% of QLTI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, QLTI 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.
13 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in QLTI and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 38 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLTI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Adr Representing Nv | 4.30% | 1.70% | 2.60% |
| ITX:MAIndustria De Diseno Textil Sa | 5.10% | 0.16% | 4.94% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 4.50% | 0.35% | 4.15% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 4.10% | 0.30% | 3.80% |
| KBX:FFKnorr-bremse Ag | 3.00% | 0.02% | 2.98% |
| BXB:AUBrambles Ltd | 2.90% | 0.04% | 2.86% |
| RYA:IERyanair Holdings PLC Ordinary Shares | 2.60% | 0.02% | 2.58% |
| KNEBV:FIKone Oyj | 2.20% | 0.04% | 2.16% |
| FEMSAUBD:MXFomento Economico Mexicano Sab De Cv | 2.10% | 0.05% | 2.05% |
| CSU:CAConstellation Software Inc/Canada | 1.70% | 0.08% | 1.62% |
35.5% of QLTI 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QLTI or VXUS?
QLTI has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLTI or VXUS?
Over the past year QLTI returned +5.53% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QLTI annualized +3.93% vs +22.40% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLTI or VXUS?
QLTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 11.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: QLTI -14.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both QLTI and VXUS?
QLTI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 QLTI and VXUS?
At least 35.5% of QLTI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in QLTI and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLTI or VXUS?
QLTI yields 0.58% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QLTI?
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.