SMLF vs VXUS
iShares US Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMLF or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMLF led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 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 | SMLF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.02% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 934 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.67% | +15.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.66% | +25.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.07% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.04%Best | +9.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,881Best | $15,535 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2015 to Sep 8, 2026 (11.4 years).
SMLF 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
SMLF vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) 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 SMLF returned +18.66% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, SMLF is up 15.67% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Over three years, SMLF compounded at +19.07% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.04% and +9.21% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SMLF has the edge at +10.80% annualized vs +6.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 14.9% 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 -43.1% for SMLF 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMLF charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMLF currently yields 1.02% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of SMLF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SMLF and VXUS share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 862 positions we hold weights for in SMLF and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 934 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMLF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMAntero Midstream Corp | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.34% |
| SIGSigma Healthcare Ltd | 0.19% | 0.02% | 0.17% |
| CASHProsegur Cash Sa | 0.16% | 0.00% | 0.16% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.13% | 0.00% | 0.13% |
| EXHO:PASodexo Sa | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.10% |
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.09% |
| SA:CASeabridge Gold Inc | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| VGC:CAValor Gold Corp | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMLF 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, SMLF or VXUS?
SMLF has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMLF or VXUS?
Over the past year SMLF returned +18.66% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SMLF annualized +10.80% vs +6.16% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMLF or VXUS?
SMLF has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SMLF -43.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SMLF and VXUS?
SMLF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 SMLF and VXUS?
At least 1.0% of SMLF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 862 positions we hold weights for in SMLF and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMLF or VXUS?
SMLF yields 1.02% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMLF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMLF led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.