RVT vs VXUS
Royce Small-Cap Trust Inc vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, RVT or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | RVT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.34% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.98% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 473 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +18.72%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +24.68% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.93% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.48% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,023 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 1986 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
RVT 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.
RVT vs VXUS Performance
Royce Small-Cap Trust Inc (RVT) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RVT returned +24.68% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, RVT is up 18.72% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, RVT compounded at +19.93% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.48% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +4.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RVT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% 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 -53.8% for RVT 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RVT charges 1.34% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $134 vs $5 annually, a gap of $129 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RVT currently yields 6.98% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 5.7% of RVT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
RVT and VXUS share little of their money.
17 positions in common, counted across the 424 positions we hold weights for in RVT and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 473 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RVT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSEM:ILTower Semiconductor Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.57% | 0.06% | 0.51% |
| X:CATmx Group Ltd. | 0.59% | 0.02% | 0.57% |
| SIISprott Inc. Common Shares | 0.55% | 0.01% | 0.54% |
| AGI:CAAlamos Gold, Inc., Class A | 0.49% | 0.03% | 0.46% |
| GFI:ZAGold Fields Limited Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.42% | 0.07% | 0.35% |
| ONEX:CAOnex Corp. | 0.47% | 0.01% | 0.46% |
| FSV:CAFirstservice Corp. | 0.46% | 0.01% | 0.45% |
| TASE:ILTel Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.34% |
| SIGSigma Healthcare Ltd | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| IMG:CAIamgold Corp | 0.30% | 0.02% | 0.28% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RVT 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, RVT or VXUS?
RVT has an expense ratio of 1.34% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $129 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RVT or VXUS?
Over the past year RVT returned +24.68% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), RVT annualized +4.69% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RVT or VXUS?
RVT has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: RVT -53.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both RVT and VXUS?
RVT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 RVT and VXUS?
At least 5.7% of RVT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 424 positions we hold weights for in RVT and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, RVT or VXUS?
RVT yields 6.98% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so RVT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than RVT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.