VXUS vs XLRE
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLRE?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 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 | XLRE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $8.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 3.12% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 34 |
| YTD Return | +13.64%Best | +7.99% |
| 1Y Return | +20.82%Best | +5.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.58%Best | +9.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.14%Best | +1.61% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -39.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,485Best | $10,831 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Oct 7, 2015 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 8, 2015 to Sep 17, 2026 (10.9 years).
VXUS vs XLRE 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 10.9 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XLRE Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% while XLRE returned +5.69%. Year to date, VXUS is up 13.64% versus a gain of 7.99% for XLRE.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.58% per year against +9.27% for XLRE; over five years the annualized figures are +9.14% and +1.61% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.29% annualized vs +5.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLRE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 14.8% 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 -39.3% for XLRE. 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 XLRE 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 3.12% for XLRE.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 31 in XLRE, 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 31 in XLRE, against full books of 8,747 and 34.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 8,082 and 31 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions XLRE does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLRE 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 XLRE?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLRE charges 0.08%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLRE?
Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% vs +5.69% for XLRE, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), VXUS annualized +7.29% vs +5.01% for XLRE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLRE?
XLRE has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XLRE -39.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLRE?
VXUS and XLRE 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 XLRE?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XLRE yields 3.12%, so XLRE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLRE better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.