VXUS vs XME
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XME?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Value.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over the full window, XME over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | XME |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $4.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 0.37% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 40 |
| YTD Return | +16.15%Best | +10.46% |
| 1Y Return | +27.58% | +45.95%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48% | +31.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09% | +22.47%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 32.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -84.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450 | $27,552Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jun 19, 2006 |
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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs XME 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 XME Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while XME returned +45.95%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 10.46% for XME.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.48% per year against +31.98% for XME; over five years the annualized figures are +9.09% and +22.47% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +3.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XME has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.9% 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 -84.3% for XME. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XME 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 2.59% against 0.37% for XME.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,094 holdings in VXUS and 40 in XME, totalling 87.7% 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 8,094 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 40 in XME, against full books of 8,747 and 40.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XME 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 XME?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XME charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XME?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +45.95% for XME, so XME leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.93% vs +3.99% for XME. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XME?
XME has been the more volatile fund at 32.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XME -84.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XME?
VXUS and XME have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 XME?
VXUS yields 2.59% while XME yields 0.37%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XME better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over the full window, XME over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.