SLX vs VXUS
VanEck Steel ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SLX or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SLX led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y.
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 | SLX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $165M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 40 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +28.45%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +59.89%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.74% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.98%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,985Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 10, 2006 | 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).
SLX 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.
SLX vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Steel ETF (SLX) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SLX returned +59.89% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, SLX is up 28.45% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, SLX compounded at +19.74% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +15.98% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SLX has the edge at +5.90% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.8% 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 -76.0% for SLX 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLX charges 0.55% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $5 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLX currently yields 1.27% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 57.3% of SLX'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.
27 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SLX and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 40 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SLX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 7.48% | 0.30% | 7.18% |
| RIO:LNRio Tinto Plc Ordinary Shares | 7.11% | 0.22% | 6.89% |
| MT:LUArcelormittal Ordinary Shares | 5.66% | 0.06% | 5.60% |
| 5401:JPNippon Steel Corp | 5.43% | 0.04% | 5.39% |
| RIO:AURio Tinto Finance Plc | 4.71% | 0.10% | 4.61% |
| TS:LUTenaris Sa Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 2 Ordinary) | 3.64% | 0.00% | 3.64% |
| BSL:AUBlueScope Steel Ltd. Shs New | 2.59% | 0.02% | 2.57% |
| 5411:JPJfe Holdings Inc | 2.40% | 0.01% | 2.39% |
| VOE:ATVoestalpine Ag Common | 2.24% | 0.01% | 2.23% |
| GGB:BVGerdau Sa Adr | 2.18% | 0.00% | 2.18% |
57.3% of SLX 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, SLX or VXUS?
SLX has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLX or VXUS?
Over the past year SLX returned +59.89% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so SLX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SLX annualized +5.90% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLX or VXUS?
SLX has been the more volatile fund at 30.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SLX -76.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SLX and VXUS?
SLX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SLX and VXUS?
At least 57.3% of SLX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SLX and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLX or VXUS?
SLX yields 1.27% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SLX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SLX led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.