VXUS vs XMAG
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XMAG?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | XMAG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $182M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 992 |
| YTD Return | +12.21%Best | +11.97% |
| 1Y Return | +19.22%Best | +15.83% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.10% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.63% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.7%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6%Best | -16.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $14,340Best | $12,773 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Oct 21, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2024 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.9 years).
VXUS vs XMAG 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XMAG Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.22% while XMAG returned +15.83%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.21% versus a gain of 11.97% for XMAG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XMAG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 11.7% 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 -13.6% for VXUS and -16.2% for XMAG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XMAG charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $35 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 0.46% for XMAG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.6% of XMAG'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.
7 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 493 in XMAG, against full books of 8,747 and 992.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XMAG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.76% | 0.05% | 0.71% |
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 0.08% | 0.13% | 0.05% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.02% | 0.07% | 0.05% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XMAG 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 XMAG?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XMAG charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XMAG?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.22% vs +15.83% for XMAG, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VXUS annualized +20.89% vs +13.75% for XMAG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XMAG?
XMAG has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 11.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -13.6% vs XMAG -16.2%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XMAG?
VXUS and XMAG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 XMAG?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XMAG yields 0.46%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XMAG better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.