SDG vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SDG 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 | SDG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $176M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 147 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.48% | +14.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.22% | +21.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.38% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.41% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,207 | $15,728Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 22, 2016 to Sep 22, 2026 (10.4 years).
SDG 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 10.4 years both funds cover.
SDG vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDG returned +11.22% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, SDG is up 6.48% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, SDG compounded at +8.38% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.41% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.98% annualized vs +7.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.4% for SDG. 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 -30.4% for SDG 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDG 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, SDG currently yields 1.63% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 45.4% of SDG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
66 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 147 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SDG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6669:TWWiwynn Corp | 4.57% | 0.04% | 4.53% |
| VWS:COVestas Wind Systems A/S Shs New | 4.10% | 0.06% | 4.04% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 3.02% | 0.65% | 2.37% |
| 9020:JPEast Japan Railway Co. Com Stk | 3.40% | 0.05% | 3.35% |
| 1216:TWUni-President Enterprises Corp | 2.63% | 0.02% | 2.61% |
| LI:SHLi Auto Class A | 2.46% | 0.02% | 2.44% |
| 9022:JPCentral Japan Railway Co. Com Stk | 1.68% | 0.05% | 1.63% |
| 9868:HKXpeng Inc-A Shrs | 1.70% | 0.02% | 1.68% |
| CSL:AUCsl Ltd | 1.51% | 0.09% | 1.42% |
| ANA:MAAcciona Sa | 1.36% | 0.01% | 1.35% |
45.4% of SDG is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SDG or VXUS?
SDG 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, SDG or VXUS?
Over the past year SDG returned +11.22% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), SDG annualized +7.16% vs +7.98% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.4% for SDG. Worst drawdown: SDG -30.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SDG and VXUS?
SDG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 SDG and VXUS?
At least 45.4% of SDG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 66 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SDG or VXUS?
SDG yields 1.63% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SDG?
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.