SIL vs VXUS
Global X Silver Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SIL or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SIL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | SIL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.38% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 42 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.78%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +66.75%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +59.91%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.32%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,282Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
SIL 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
SIL vs VXUS Performance
Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SIL returned +66.75% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, SIL is up 19.78% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, SIL compounded at +59.91% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +21.32% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +2.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SIL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.3% compared with 15.0% 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 -83.4% for SIL 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SIL charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SIL currently yields 1.38% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 58.6% of SIL'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.
13 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SIL and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 42 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SIL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | 22.25% | 0.11% | 22.14% |
| PAAS:CAPan American Silver Corp. | 12.28% | 0.04% | 12.24% |
| AG:CAFirst Majestic Silver Corp | 4.62% | 0.02% | 4.60% |
| FRES:LNFresnillo Plc | 4.29% | 0.01% | 4.28% |
| SSRMSsr Mining Inc | 3.75% | 0.01% | 3.74% |
| 010130:KRKorea Zinc Company Limited | 2.37% | 0.01% | 2.36% |
| AYA:CAAya Gold & Silver Inc. | 2.21% | 0.01% | 2.20% |
| FVI:CAFortuna Mining Corp | 1.94% | 0.01% | 1.93% |
| SVM:CASilvercorp Metals Inc | 1.52% | 0.00% | 1.52% |
| TFPM:CATriple Flag Precious Met Common Stock | 1.46% | 0.00% | 1.46% |
58.6% of SIL 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SIL or VXUS?
SIL has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SIL or VXUS?
Over the past year SIL returned +66.75% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so SIL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SIL annualized +2.99% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SIL or VXUS?
SIL has been the more volatile fund at 40.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SIL -83.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SIL and VXUS?
SIL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 SIL and VXUS?
At least 58.6% of SIL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SIL and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SIL or VXUS?
SIL yields 1.38% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SIL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SIL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.