SPAM vs VXUS
Themes Cybersecurity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SPAM or VXUS?
SPAM has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SPAM 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 | SPAM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 45 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +55.32%Best | +11.62% |
| 1Y Return | +35.08%Best | +18.43% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.33% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.0% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.0% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $18,771Best | $16,468 |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 8, 2023 to Sep 30, 2026 (2.8 years).
SPAM 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
SPAM vs VXUS Performance
Themes Cybersecurity ETF (SPAM) is an ETF from Themes ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPAM returned +35.08% while VXUS returned +18.43%. Year to date, SPAM is up 55.32% versus a gain of 11.62% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPAM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.0% compared with 11.3% 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 -24.0% for SPAM 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 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPAM charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPAM currently yields 0.33% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 11.7% of SPAM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPAM and VXUS share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in SPAM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 45 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPAM 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, SPAM or VXUS?
SPAM has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPAM or VXUS?
Over the past year SPAM returned +35.08% vs +18.43% for VXUS, so SPAM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPAM or VXUS?
SPAM has been the more volatile fund at 23.0% annualized versus 11.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SPAM -24.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both SPAM and VXUS?
SPAM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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 SPAM and VXUS?
At least 11.7% of SPAM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in SPAM and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPAM or VXUS?
SPAM yields 0.33% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SPAM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SPAM 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.