VXUS vs XJR
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs iShares ESG Select Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XJR?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XJR over 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 | XJR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.12% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $216M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 0.94% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 602 |
| YTD Return | +16.15% | +19.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +27.58%Best | +20.70% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48%Best | +15.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09%Best | +6.71% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -27.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450Best | $13,836 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 22, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2020 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.9 years).
VXUS vs XJR 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 5.9 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XJR Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and iShares ESG Select Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while XJR returned +20.70%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 19.48% for XJR.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.48% per year against +15.22% for XJR; over five years the annualized figures are +9.09% and +6.71% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, XJR has the edge at +14.55% annualized vs +12.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XJR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 14.9% 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 -29.4% for VXUS and -27.1% for XJR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XJR charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $12 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.59% against 0.94% for XJR.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.6% of XJR'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
4 positions in common, counted across the 8,094 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 535 in XJR, against full books of 8,747 and 602.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XJR 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 XJR?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XJR charges 0.12%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XJR?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +20.70% for XJR, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), VXUS annualized +12.71% vs +14.55% for XJR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XJR?
XJR has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -29.4% vs XJR -27.1%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XJR?
VXUS and XJR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 XJR?
VXUS yields 2.59% while XJR yields 0.94%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XJR better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XJR over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.