SAEF vs VXUS
Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SAEF or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend 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 | SAEF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 59 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1%Best | -28.5% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $9,883 | $14,788Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 62 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SAEF has data through Jul 17, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Jul 17, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 15.4% 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 -28.1% for SAEF and -28.5% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAEF charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAEF currently yields 0.33% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 58 holdings in SAEF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 98.3% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 59 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAEF 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, SAEF or VXUS?
SAEF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SAEF or VXUS?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 15.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SAEF -28.1% vs VXUS -28.5%.
Should I hold both SAEF and VXUS?
SAEF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, SAEF or VXUS?
SAEF yields 0.33% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SAEF?
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.