QWLD vs VXUS
State Street SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QWLD or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QWLD led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | QWLD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $177M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.75% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,281 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.21% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.32% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.23% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.24%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,282Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2014 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.3 years).
QWLD 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 12.3 years both funds cover.
QWLD vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QWLD returned +13.32% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, QWLD is up 9.21% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, QWLD compounded at +16.23% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.24% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QWLD has the edge at +8.95% annualized vs +5.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 12.6% for QWLD. 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 -31.9% for QWLD 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QWLD charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QWLD currently yields 1.75% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 23.3% of QWLD'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.
QWLD and VXUS share little of their money.
515 positions in common, counted across the 1,199 positions we hold weights for in QWLD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,281 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QWLD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.79% | 0.65% | 0.14% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.31% | 0.82% | 0.51% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa Reg Common Stock Chf.1 | 0.41% | 0.58% | 0.17% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.35% | 0.57% | 0.22% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.35% | 0.57% | 0.22% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.22% | 0.66% | 0.44% |
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.02% | 0.76% | 0.74% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.19% | 0.45% | 0.26% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag Reg Common Stock | 0.10% | 0.54% | 0.44% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 0.33% | 0.31% | 0.02% |
23.3% of QWLD 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, QWLD or VXUS?
QWLD has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QWLD or VXUS?
Over the past year QWLD returned +13.32% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), QWLD annualized +8.95% vs +5.21% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QWLD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 12.6% for QWLD. Worst drawdown: QWLD -31.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both QWLD and VXUS?
QWLD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QWLD and VXUS?
At least 23.3% of QWLD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 515 positions in common, counted across the 1,199 positions we hold weights for in QWLD and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QWLD or VXUS?
QWLD yields 1.75% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QWLD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QWLD led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.