SMDX vs VXUS
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMDX or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | SMDX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $128M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 529 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.34% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.12% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,916 | $14,349Best |
| Fund Family | Intech ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.5 years).
SMDX 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
SMDX vs VXUS Performance
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) is an ETF from Intech ETF and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMDX returned +16.12% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, SMDX is up 12.34% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMDX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 12.0% 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 -14.5% for SMDX 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMDX charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMDX currently yields 0.52% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of SMDX'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.
SMDX and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, SMDX as of Sep 2, 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.
7 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in SMDX and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 529 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMDX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBA:CARb Global Inc | 0.40% | 0.05% | 0.35% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corp | 0.19% | 0.01% | 0.18% |
| SIG:AUSigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 0.12% | 0.02% | 0.10% |
| CASHMeta Financial Group Inc | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.10% |
| BILLBill.Com Holdings, Inc. Common Stock | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| SANB11:BVBanco Santander Sa(san) | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMDX 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, SMDX or VXUS?
SMDX has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMDX or VXUS?
Over the past year SMDX returned +16.12% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SMDX annualized +18.60% vs +27.22% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMDX or VXUS?
SMDX has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 12.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SMDX -14.5% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both SMDX and VXUS?
SMDX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 SMDX and VXUS?
At least 1.1% of SMDX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in SMDX and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMDX or VXUS?
SMDX yields 0.52% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMDX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.