VXUS vs XLG
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLG?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, XLG over 3Y, 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 | XLG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.20% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $11.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.64% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 53 |
| YTD Return | +12.21%Best | +5.38% |
| 1Y Return | +19.22%Best | +9.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.10% | +21.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.63% | +13.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -30.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,127 | $18,819Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | May 4, 2005 |
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 16, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs XLG 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 XLG Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +19.22% while XLG returned +9.28%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.21% versus a gain of 5.38% for XLG.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.10% per year against +21.43% for XLG; over five years the annualized figures are +8.63% and +13.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XLG has the edge at +13.42% annualized vs +4.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.7% for XLG. 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 -30.8% for XLG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLG charges 0.20%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $20 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 0.64% for XLG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 52 in XLG, totalling 88.8% 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 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 52 in XLG, against full books of 8,747 and 53.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLG 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 XLG?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLG charges 0.20%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLG?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.22% vs +9.28% for XLG, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.69% vs +13.42% for XLG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLG?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.7% for XLG. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XLG -30.8%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLG?
VXUS and XLG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 XLG?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XLG yields 0.64%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLG better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, XLG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.