SMIN vs VXUS
iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMIN or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMIN led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | SMIN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $777M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 467 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +3.41% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.83% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.22% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.20% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.3% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,509 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 8, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 9, 2012 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.6 years).
SMIN 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
SMIN vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMIN returned +0.83% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, SMIN is up 3.41% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, SMIN compounded at +7.22% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.20% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SMIN has the edge at +8.99% annualized vs +5.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.3% compared with 14.4% 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 -60.5% for SMIN 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 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMIN charges 0.74% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $5 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMIN currently yields 0.00% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 22.9% of SMIN'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.
SMIN and VXUS share little of their money.
100 positions in common, counted across the 459 positions we hold weights for in SMIN and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 467 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMIN | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COFORGE:MBCoforge Ltd Npv | 1.38% | 0.01% | 1.37% |
| DELHIVERY:MBDelhivery Ltd | 0.80% | 0.01% | 0.79% |
| 360ONE:MB360 One Wam | 0.77% | 0.01% | 0.76% |
| IPCALAB:MBIpca Laboratories Ltd | 0.73% | 0.01% | 0.72% |
| UNOMINDA:MBUno Minda Ltd | 0.58% | 0.00% | 0.58% |
| HFCL:MBHimachal Futuristic Communications Ltd | 0.58% | 0.00% | 0.58% |
| CAMS:MBComputer Age Management Serv | 0.50% | 0.00% | 0.50% |
| SAILIFE:MBSai Life Sciences Ltd | 0.48% | 0.00% | 0.48% |
| BANDHANBNK:MBBandhan Bank Ltd | 0.48% | 0.00% | 0.48% |
| M&MFIN:MBMahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd | 0.47% | 0.00% | 0.47% |
22.9% of SMIN 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, SMIN or VXUS?
SMIN has an expense ratio of 0.74% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMIN or VXUS?
Over the past year SMIN returned +0.83% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SMIN annualized +8.99% vs +5.87% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMIN or VXUS?
SMIN has been the more volatile fund at 26.3% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SMIN -60.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SMIN and VXUS?
SMIN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 SMIN and VXUS?
At least 22.9% of SMIN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 100 positions in common, counted across the 459 positions we hold weights for in SMIN and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMIN or VXUS?
SMIN yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMIN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMIN led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.