VXUS vs XLF
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLF?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, XLF over 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 | XLF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $54.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 1.40% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 80 |
| YTD Return | +12.82%Best | +2.58% |
| 1Y Return | +19.86%Best | +4.80% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33%Best | +18.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.46% | +10.67%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 19.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -43.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,714 | $16,602Best |
| 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 XLF 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 XLF Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% while XLF returned +4.80%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a gain of 2.58% for XLF.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.33% per year against +18.87% for XLF; over five years the annualized figures are +9.46% and +10.67% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XLF has the edge at +8.88% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% 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 -43.3% for XLF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLF 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 1.40% for XLF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of XLF'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 77 in XLF, against full books of 8,747 and 80.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XLF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.41% | 0.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLF 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 XLF?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLF charges 0.08%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLF?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs +4.80% for XLF, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.72% vs +8.88% for XLF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLF?
XLF has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XLF -43.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLF?
VXUS and XLF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 XLF?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XLF yields 1.40%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLF better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, XLF over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.