SYLD vs VXUS
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SYLD or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SYLD led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | SYLD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.69% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 100 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.33%Best | +12.88% |
| 1Y Return | +19.94% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.66% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.21% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,837 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | Cambria Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 13, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2013 to Sep 23, 2026 (13.4 years).
SYLD 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 13.4 years both funds cover.
SYLD vs VXUS Performance
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SYLD returned +19.94% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, SYLD is up 16.33% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, SYLD compounded at +11.66% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.21% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SYLD has the edge at +12.05% annualized vs +5.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SYLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 14.5% 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 -45.4% for SYLD 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SYLD charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SYLD currently yields 1.69% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of SYLD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SYLD and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in SYLD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 100 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SYLD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 1.00% | 0.02% | 0.98% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SYLD 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, SYLD or VXUS?
SYLD has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SYLD or VXUS?
Over the past year SYLD returned +19.94% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SYLD annualized +12.05% vs +5.41% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SYLD or VXUS?
SYLD has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SYLD -45.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SYLD and VXUS?
SYLD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SYLD and VXUS?
At least 1.0% of SYLD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in SYLD and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SYLD or VXUS?
SYLD yields 1.69% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SYLD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SYLD led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.