RLY vs VXUS
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RLY or VXUS?
Tactical Allocation against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RLY led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y 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 | RLY | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.93% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 12 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +17.91%Best | +14.49% |
| 1Y Return | +25.03%Best | +21.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.41% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.66%Best | +9.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,358Best | $15,793 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Tactical Allocation | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 25, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2012 to Sep 21, 2026 (14.4 years).
RLY 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 14.4 years both funds cover.
RLY vs VXUS Performance
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RLY returned +25.03% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, RLY is up 17.91% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, RLY compounded at +14.41% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.66% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.95% annualized vs +3.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.5% for RLY. 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 -46.2% for RLY 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RLY charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RLY currently yields 2.93% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 12 holdings in RLY and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% 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 12 positions we hold weights for in RLY and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 12 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 12 and 8,082 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions RLY does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RLY 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, RLY or VXUS?
RLY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RLY or VXUS?
Over the past year RLY returned +25.03% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so RLY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), RLY annualized +3.46% vs +5.95% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RLY or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.5% for RLY. Worst drawdown: RLY -46.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both RLY and VXUS?
RLY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, RLY or VXUS?
RLY yields 2.93% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so RLY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RLY?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. RLY led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.