STSM vs VXUS
Defiance Daily Target 2X Short TSM ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, STSM or VXUS?
Trading-Inverse Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | STSM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 12 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -67.62% | +11.16%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +17.13% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.18% |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
STSM 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.
STSM vs VXUS Performance
Defiance Daily Target 2X Short TSM ETF (STSM) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, STSM is down 67.62% versus a gain of 11.16% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STSM charges 1.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $130 vs $5 annually, a gap of $125 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STSM currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in STSM and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 3.5% and 89.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, STSM as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in STSM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 12 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STSM 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, STSM or VXUS?
STSM has an expense ratio of 1.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $125 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, STSM or VXUS?
STSM yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than STSM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.