SMIG vs VXUS
Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMIG or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | SMIG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.84% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 41 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.40% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.52% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.15% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.13% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,111 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | Advisors Asset Management, Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 25, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 26, 2021 to Sep 23, 2026 (5.1 years).
SMIG 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
SMIG vs VXUS Performance
Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) is an ETF from Advisors Asset Management, Inc. and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMIG returned +8.52% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, SMIG is up 9.40% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, SMIG compounded at +13.15% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.13% and +8.87% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 15.1% 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 -19.6% for SMIG and -29.4% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMIG 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, SMIG currently yields 1.84% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 5.2% of SMIG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SMIG and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SMIG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 41 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMIG 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, SMIG or VXUS?
SMIG 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, SMIG or VXUS?
Over the past year SMIG returned +8.52% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMIG or VXUS?
SMIG has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SMIG -19.6% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both SMIG and VXUS?
SMIG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 SMIG and VXUS?
At least 5.2% of SMIG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SMIG and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMIG or VXUS?
SMIG yields 1.84% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMIG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.