VXUS vs XLE
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLE?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 3Y, XLE over 1Y, 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 | XLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $42.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 2.55% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 24 |
| YTD Return | +12.82% | +42.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.86% | +47.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33%Best | +15.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.46% | +26.44%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 26.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -76.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,714 | $32,316Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 16, 1998 |
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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs XLE 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 XLE Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% while XLE returned +47.84%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a gain of 42.82% for XLE.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.33% per year against +15.50% for XLE; over five years the annualized figures are +9.46% and +26.44% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XLE has the edge at +5.22% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.9% 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 -76.7% for XLE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLE charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $8 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 2.55% for XLE.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.8% of XLE'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.
XLE and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 22 in XLE, against full books of 8,747 and 24.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 8,082 and 22 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 34 positions XLE does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XLE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.02% | 1.75% | 1.73% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLE 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 XLE?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLE charges 0.08%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLE?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs +47.84% for XLE, so XLE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.72% vs +5.22% for XLE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLE?
XLE has been the more volatile fund at 26.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XLE -76.7%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLE?
VXUS and XLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 VXUS and XLE?
At least 1.8% of XLE'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 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 22 in XLE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XLE?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XLE yields 2.55%, so XLE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLE better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 3Y, XLE over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.