SCEC vs VXUS
Sterling Capital Enhanced Core Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SCEC or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | SCEC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $605M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.02% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 355 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -4.58% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.42% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.6%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.8%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $9,973 | $14,275Best |
| Fund Family | Sterling Capital Active ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 14, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 14, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.5 years).
SCEC 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
SCEC vs VXUS Performance
Sterling Capital Enhanced Core Bond ETF (SCEC) is an ETF from Sterling Capital Active ETF and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCEC returned -4.42% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, SCEC is down 4.58% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 3.6% for SCEC. 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 -5.8% for SCEC and -13.6% 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCEC charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCEC currently yields 5.02% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 180 holdings in SCEC and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 42.4% and 87.7% 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 52 days apart, SCEC as of Aug 21, 2026 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 180 positions we hold weights for in SCEC and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 355 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCEC 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, SCEC or VXUS?
SCEC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCEC or VXUS?
Over the past year SCEC returned -4.42% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SCEC annualized -0.18% vs +26.78% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCEC or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 3.6% for SCEC. Worst drawdown: SCEC -5.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both SCEC and VXUS?
SCEC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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, SCEC or VXUS?
SCEC yields 5.02% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SCEC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SCEC?
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.