SMST vs VXUS
Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMST or VXUS?
Trading-Inverse Equity 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 | SMST | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.31% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 16 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -83.96% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -46.38% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 183.3% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $71 | $14,575Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 20, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.1 years).
SMST 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
SMST vs VXUS Performance
Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMST returned -46.38% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, SMST is down 83.96% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 183.3% compared with 12.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMST charges 1.31% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $131 vs $5 annually, a gap of $126 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMST currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SMST and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 3.0% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in SMST and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 16 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMST 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, SMST or VXUS?
SMST has an expense ratio of 1.31% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $126 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMST or VXUS?
Over the past year SMST returned -46.38% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SMST annualized -90.50% vs +19.65% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMST or VXUS?
SMST has been the more volatile fund at 183.3% annualized versus 12.0% for VXUS.
Should I hold both SMST and VXUS?
SMST and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.10, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMST or VXUS?
SMST yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMST?
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.