VSS vs VXUS
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VSS or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | VSS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $11.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.31% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 4,906 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.08% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.66% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.06% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.90% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,319 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 2, 2009 | 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).
VSS 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.
VSS vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VSS returned +19.66% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, VSS is up 12.08% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, VSS compounded at +17.06% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.90% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +4.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VSS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% 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 -46.8% for VSS 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VSS charges 0.06% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VSS currently yields 3.31% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 87.9% of VSS'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.
Most of VSS is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
4,402 positions in common, counted across the 4,653 positions we hold weights for in VSS and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 4,906 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VSS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 0.02% | 2.27% | 2.25% |
| CNHCnh Industrial N.V. Nv | 2.00% | 0.00% | 2.00% |
| 700:HKTencent Holding Ltd | 0.00% | 0.77% | 0.77% |
| 6274:TWTaiwan Union Technology Corp | 0.35% | 0.03% | 0.32% |
| ATZ:CAAritzia Subordinate Voting Inc | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| AIR:NZAir New Zealand Ltd | 0.01% | 0.29% | 0.28% |
| HBM:CAHudbay Minerals Inc | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| NDA:BEAurubis Ag | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.00% |
| ACLN:SMAccelleron Industries Ag | 0.25% | 0.02% | 0.23% |
| GAW:LNGames Workshop Group Plc | 0.24% | 0.02% | 0.22% |
87.9% of VSS is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VSS or VXUS?
VSS has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VSS or VXUS?
Over the past year VSS returned +19.66% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VSS annualized +4.29% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VSS or VXUS?
VSS has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VSS -46.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VSS and VXUS?
VSS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VSS and VXUS?
At least 87.9% of VSS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4,402 positions in common, counted across the 4,653 positions we hold weights for in VSS and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VSS or VXUS?
VSS yields 3.31% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VSS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VSS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.