SPAQ vs VXUS
Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SPAQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 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 | SPAQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 16.14% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 62 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +3.42% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.00% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.38% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.9%Best | 12.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.3%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.6 years | $12,574 | $17,105Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Kinetics LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 27, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2023 to Sep 10, 2026 (3.6 years).
SPAQ 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 3.6 years both funds cover.
SPAQ vs VXUS Performance
Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF (SPAQ) is an ETF from Horizon Kinetics LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPAQ returned +5.00% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, SPAQ is up 3.42% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, SPAQ compounded at +6.38% per year against +19.44% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +16.08% annualized vs +6.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 2.9% for SPAQ. 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 -5.3% for SPAQ 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 -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPAQ charges 0.85% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $5 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPAQ currently yields 16.14% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 47 holdings in SPAQ and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 94.3% and 87.7% 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 47 positions we hold weights for in SPAQ and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 62 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPAQ 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, SPAQ or VXUS?
SPAQ has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPAQ or VXUS?
Over the past year SPAQ returned +5.00% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SPAQ annualized +6.57% vs +16.08% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPAQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 2.9% for SPAQ. Worst drawdown: SPAQ -5.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both SPAQ and VXUS?
SPAQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, 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, SPAQ or VXUS?
SPAQ yields 16.14% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SPAQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SPAQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.