VXUS vs XBI
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XBI?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 5Y, XBI over 1Y, 3Y 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 | XBI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $11.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.35% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 160 |
| YTD Return | +13.35% | +29.18%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.44% | +67.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.44% | +26.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.82%Best | +3.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 28.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -63.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,260Best | $11,980 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jan 31, 2006 |
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 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs XBI 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.
VXUS vs XBI Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +22.44% while XBI returned +67.77%. Year to date, VXUS is up 13.35% versus a gain of 29.18% for XBI.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.44% per year against +26.05% for XBI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.82% and +3.68% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XBI has the edge at +13.98% annualized vs +4.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XBI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.0% 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 -39.9% for VXUS and -63.9% for XBI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XBI 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 2.51% against 0.35% for XBI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,091 holdings in VXUS and 151 in XBI, totalling 87.7% and 99.6% of the two funds. That is not enough of VXUS to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 151 in XBI, against full books of 8,747 and 160.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XBI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 601318:SHPing An Insu Ran Ce Group Co. Of C Hin A Ltd. | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XBI 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 XBI?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XBI charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XBI?
Over the past year VXUS returned +22.44% vs +67.77% for XBI, so XBI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.76% vs +13.98% for XBI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XBI?
XBI has been the more volatile fund at 28.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XBI -63.9%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XBI?
VXUS and XBI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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 XBI?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XBI yields 0.35%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XBI better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 5Y, XBI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.