SPTS vs VXUS
State Street SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SPTS or VXUS?
Short Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPTS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | SPTS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $7.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.86% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 97 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.66% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.77% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.07% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.80% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.6%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,933 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 30, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 1, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (14.8 years).
SPTS 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.
SPTS vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPTS returned +1.77% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, SPTS is up 0.66% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, SPTS compounded at +4.07% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.80% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.01% annualized vs +0.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 2.6% for SPTS. 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 -8.9% for SPTS 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 0.17. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPTS charges 0.03% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPTS currently yields 3.86% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SPTS and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 0.6% 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 SPTS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 97 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPTS 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, SPTS or VXUS?
SPTS has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. SPTS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPTS or VXUS?
Over the past year SPTS returned +1.77% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SPTS annualized +0.75% vs +6.01% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPTS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 2.6% for SPTS. Worst drawdown: SPTS -8.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SPTS and VXUS?
SPTS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.17, 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, SPTS or VXUS?
SPTS yields 3.86% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SPTS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SPTS?
SPTS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.