SABA vs VXUS
Saba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund II vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SABA or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | SABA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.71% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $254M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.33% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 740 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.61% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.71% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.37% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.12% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,660 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Saba Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 17, 1988 | 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).
SABA 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.
SABA vs VXUS Performance
Saba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund II (SABA) is an ETF from Saba Capital and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SABA returned -2.71% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, SABA is up 4.61% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, SABA compounded at +10.37% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.12% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs -2.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 11.6% for SABA. 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 -62.0% for SABA 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SABA charges 0.71% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $71 vs $5 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SABA currently yields 8.33% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 379 holdings in SABA and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 38.1% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 37 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 334 days apart, SABA as of Jul 31, 2025 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.
37 positions in common, counted across the 379 positions we hold weights for in SABA and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 740 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SABA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVOG:STEvolution Ab (Publ) - Common | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| GXIG:MUGerresheimer Ag | 0.51% | 0.00% | 0.51% |
| 9888:SHBaidu Inc ADR Class A | 0.41% | 0.07% | 0.34% |
| ALLFG:LNAllfunds Group Plc | 0.44% | 0.01% | 0.43% |
| BMO:CABank Of Montreal | -0.01% | 0.28% | 0.29% |
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | -0.03% | 0.26% | 0.29% |
| CM:CACanadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | -0.01% | 0.23% | 0.24% |
| MFC:CAManulife Financial Corporation | -0.02% | 0.15% | 0.17% |
| TRP:CATc Energy Corp | -0.02% | 0.15% | 0.17% |
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | -0.03% | 0.11% | 0.14% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SABA 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, SABA or VXUS?
SABA has an expense ratio of 0.71% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SABA or VXUS?
Over the past year SABA returned -2.71% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SABA annualized -2.87% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SABA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 11.6% for SABA. Worst drawdown: SABA -62.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SABA and VXUS?
SABA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, SABA or VXUS?
SABA yields 8.33% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so SABA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SABA?
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.