VXUS vs XLEM
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street S&P 500 Energy Market Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLEM?
VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | XLEM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.12% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $467,214.15 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 9,293 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +6.50%Best | -8.82% |
| 1Y Return | +12.09% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.15% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.38% | - |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Oct 13, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VXUS vs XLEM 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VXUS vs XLEM Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street S&P 500 Energy Market Sector SPDR ETF (XLEM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, VXUS is up 6.50% versus a loss of 8.82% for XLEM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLEM 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 2.38% against 0.00% for XLEM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,463 holdings in VXUS and 7 in XLEM, totalling 89.2% 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 8,463 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 7 in XLEM, against full books of 9,293 and 7.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 8,463 and 7 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 39 positions XLEM does not, 2.2% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.62%, VGZ6 0.17%, MESZ6 0.16%, TPZ6 0.15%, VWO 0.11%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLEM 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 XLEM?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLEM charges 0.12%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XLEM?
VXUS yields 2.38% while XLEM yields 0.00%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLEM better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.