STXM vs VXUS
Strive Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, STXM or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | STXM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 407 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.8% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $11,764 | $13,428Best |
| Fund Family | Strive Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 11, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 167 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. STXM has data through Mar 27, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2024 to Mar 27, 2026 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STXM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 12.7% 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 -23.8% for STXM 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STXM charges 0.18% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $5 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STXM currently yields 1.04% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.5% of STXM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
STXM and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, STXM as of Jan 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
7 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in STXM and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 407 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in STXM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JHX:AUJames Hardie Industries PLC | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| QGEN:ASQiagen Nv | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc (egp Un) | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.25% |
| ALSN:SMOn Holding Ag Pp | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| LNWLight & Wonder Inc | 0.17% | 0.01% | 0.16% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corp | 0.16% | 0.01% | 0.15% |
| CCCSCCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc | 0.13% | 0.01% | 0.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STXM 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, STXM or VXUS?
STXM has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, STXM or VXUS?
STXM has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 12.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: STXM -23.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both STXM and VXUS?
STXM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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 STXM and VXUS?
At least 1.5% of STXM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in STXM and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, STXM or VXUS?
STXM yields 1.04% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than STXM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.