SOXL vs VXUS
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SOXL or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SOXL 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 | SOXL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $19.0B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 44 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +125.95%Best | +15.57% |
| 1Y Return | +328.50%Best | +27.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +65.05%Best | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.20%Best | +8.96% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 88.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -90.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,072Best | $15,358 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 11, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 3, 2026 (15.6 years).
SOXL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SOXL vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SOXL returned +328.50% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, SOXL is up 125.95% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, SOXL compounded at +65.05% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +18.20% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SOXL has the edge at +35.14% annualized vs +4.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SOXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 88.0% compared with 15.0% 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 -90.5% for SOXL 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SOXL charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SOXL currently yields 0.01% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 34 holdings in SOXL and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 117.9% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 5 positions appear in both.
5 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in SOXL and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 44 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SOXL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 1.61% | 1.70% | 0.09% |
| ASX:TWAse Technology Holding Co., Ltd. American Depositary Shares (Each Representing Two Common Shares) | 0.85% | 0.16% | 0.69% |
| 2303:TWUnited Microelectronics Corp. Sponsored Adr | 0.63% | 0.13% | 0.50% |
| NVMI:ILNova Ltd. | 0.48% | 0.04% | 0.44% |
| STM:ASStmicroelectronics N.v. | 0.46% | 0.01% | 0.45% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SOXL 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, SOXL or VXUS?
SOXL has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SOXL or VXUS?
Over the past year SOXL returned +328.50% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so SOXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SOXL annualized +35.14% vs +4.90% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SOXL or VXUS?
SOXL has been the more volatile fund at 88.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SOXL -90.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SOXL and VXUS?
SOXL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, SOXL or VXUS?
SOXL yields 0.01% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SOXL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SOXL 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.