STEW vs VXUS
SRH Total Return Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, STEW or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. STEW led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | STEW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.28% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.20% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 24 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +3.90% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.69% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.49% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.35%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,363Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Paralel Advisors LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2002 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
STEW 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
STEW vs VXUS Performance
SRH Total Return Fund (STEW) is an ETF from Paralel Advisors LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STEW returned +3.69% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, STEW is up 3.90% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, STEW compounded at +15.49% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.35% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, STEW has the edge at +8.49% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% 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 -35.3% for STEW 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STEW charges 2.28% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $228 vs $5 annually, a gap of $223 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STEW currently yields 3.20% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 23 holdings in STEW and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 111.3% and 87.5% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in STEW and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 24 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in STEW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFL:CAGfl Environmental Inc | 0.86% | 0.02% | 0.84% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STEW 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, STEW or VXUS?
STEW has an expense ratio of 2.28% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $223 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STEW or VXUS?
Over the past year STEW returned +3.69% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), STEW annualized +8.49% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STEW or VXUS?
STEW has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: STEW -35.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both STEW and VXUS?
STEW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, STEW or VXUS?
STEW yields 3.20% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so STEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than STEW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. STEW led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.