SMOT vs VXUS
VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMOT or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMOT led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y 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 | SMOT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $318M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 223 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +14.60%Best | +8.79% |
| 1Y Return | +16.81%Best | +12.87% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.37% | +18.94%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $16,595 | $19,691Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 4, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 6, 2022 to Nov 10, 2026 (4.1 years).
SMOT 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 4.1 years both funds cover.
SMOT vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMOT returned +16.81% while VXUS returned +12.87%. Year to date, SMOT is up 14.60% versus a gain of 8.79% for VXUS.
Over three years, SMOT compounded at +16.37% per year against +18.94% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +17.97% annualized vs +13.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 13.9% 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 -23.4% for SMOT 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMOT charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMOT currently yields 1.23% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.3% of SMOT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SMOT and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 109 positions we hold weights for in SMOT and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 223 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMOT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNHCnh Industrial Nv | 1.33% | 0.00% | 1.33% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMOT 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, SMOT or VXUS?
SMOT has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMOT or VXUS?
Over the past year SMOT returned +16.81% vs +12.87% for VXUS, so SMOT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SMOT annualized +13.15% vs +17.97% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMOT or VXUS?
SMOT has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 13.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SMOT -23.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both SMOT and VXUS?
SMOT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 SMOT and VXUS?
At least 1.3% of SMOT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 109 positions we hold weights for in SMOT and 8,463 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMOT or VXUS?
SMOT yields 1.23% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMOT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMOT led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.