SDSI vs VXUS
American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SDSI or VXUS?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | SDSI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $291M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.75% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 396 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.07% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.52% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.49% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.0%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.3%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $12,245 | $21,167Best |
| Fund Family | American Century Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 11, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 13, 2022 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.9 years).
SDSI 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
SDSI vs VXUS Performance
American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) is an ETF from American Century Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDSI returned +2.52% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, SDSI is up 1.07% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, SDSI compounded at +5.49% per year against +20.00% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +21.20% annualized vs +5.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 2.0% for SDSI. 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 -1.3% for SDSI 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDSI charges 0.32% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $5 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDSI currently yields 4.75% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 131 holdings in SDSI and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 44.3% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, SDSI as of Aug 17, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 131 positions we hold weights for in SDSI and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 396 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SDSI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.21% | 0.72% | 0.51% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SDSI 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, SDSI or VXUS?
SDSI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDSI or VXUS?
Over the past year SDSI returned +2.52% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SDSI annualized +5.33% vs +21.20% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDSI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 2.0% for SDSI. Worst drawdown: SDSI -1.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both SDSI and VXUS?
SDSI 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, SDSI or VXUS?
SDSI yields 4.75% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SDSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SDSI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.