SEA vs VXUS
US Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SEA or VXUS?
SEA has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SEA 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 | SEA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.85% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 31 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +39.46%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +44.26%Best | +22.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.00%Best | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.5% | -26.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $16,527Best | $15,633 |
| Fund Family | ETF Series Solutions | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 20, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (4.6 years).
SEA 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 4.6 years both funds cover.
SEA vs VXUS Performance
US Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) is an ETF from ETF Series Solutions and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SEA returned +44.26% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, SEA is up 39.46% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, SEA compounded at +23.00% per year against +19.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 15.3% 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 -39.5% for SEA and -26.9% 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SEA charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SEA currently yields 4.85% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 42.4% of SEA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, SEA as of Sep 1, 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.
12 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in SEA and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 31 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SEA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1308:HKSitc International Holdings Co Ltd | 5.84% | 0.01% | 5.83% |
| WAWI:OSWallenius Wilhelmsen ASA Shs | 5.53% | 0.00% | 5.53% |
| 0316:HKOrient Overseas International Ltd. | 5.22% | 0.00% | 5.22% |
| 2615:TWWan Hai Lines Ltd | 4.78% | 0.01% | 4.77% |
| HAUTO:OSHoegh Autoliners Asa | 4.05% | 0.00% | 4.05% |
| BXB:AUBrambles Ltd | 2.94% | 0.04% | 2.90% |
| DHL:SGDhl Group | 2.81% | 0.12% | 2.69% |
| LOG:MACia De Distribucion Integral | 2.83% | 0.00% | 2.83% |
| DSV:CODsv Panalpina A/S | 2.21% | 0.10% | 2.11% |
| 9101:JPNippon Yusen | 2.24% | 0.03% | 2.21% |
42.4% of SEA 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, SEA or VXUS?
SEA has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SEA or VXUS?
Over the past year SEA returned +44.26% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so SEA leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SEA or VXUS?
SEA has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 15.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SEA -39.5% vs VXUS -26.9%.
Should I hold both SEA and VXUS?
SEA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 SEA and VXUS?
At least 42.4% of SEA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in SEA and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SEA or VXUS?
SEA yields 4.85% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SEA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SEA 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.