VXUS vs XAR
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XAR?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, XAR over 3Y, 5Y 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 | VXUS | XAR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $6.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 0.31% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +16.15%Best | +1.07% |
| 1Y Return | +27.58%Best | +17.88% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48% | +28.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09% | +16.56%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -46.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450 | $21,515Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 28, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
VXUS vs XAR 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XAR Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while XAR returned +17.88%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 1.07% for XAR.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.48% per year against +28.71% for XAR; over five years the annualized figures are +9.09% and +16.56% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, XAR has the edge at +16.93% annualized vs +6.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XAR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 14.7% 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 -39.9% for VXUS and -46.7% for XAR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XAR charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $35 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.59% against 0.31% for XAR.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,094 holdings in VXUS and 48 in XAR, totalling 87.7% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8,094 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 48 in XAR, against full books of 8,747 and 48.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 8,094 and 48 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 50 positions XAR does not, 2.1% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.48%, BALN 3.4 04/15/30 14 0.16%, PRYMY 0.11%, VWO 0.11%, BASFY 0.11%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XAR 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, VXUS or XAR?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XAR charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XAR?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +17.88% for XAR, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), VXUS annualized +6.34% vs +16.93% for XAR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XAR?
XAR has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XAR -46.7%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XAR?
VXUS and XAR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, VXUS or XAR?
VXUS yields 2.59% while XAR yields 0.31%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XAR better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, XAR over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.