VXUS vs XRLV
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Invesco S&P 500 ex-Rate Sensitive Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XRLV?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, XRLV over 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 | XRLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $29M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 2.08% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 102 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -38.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 10.9 years | $18,757 | $27,954Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Apr 6, 2015 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 210 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VXUS has data through Sep 18, 2026 and XRLV through Feb 20, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 9, 2015 to Feb 20, 2026 (10.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 13.5% for XRLV. 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 -38.3% for XRLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XRLV charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $25 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 2.08% for XRLV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 100 in XRLV, 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.
The two holdings books were reported 304 days apart, VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026 and XRLV as of Sep 30, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 100 in XRLV, against full books of 8,747 and 102.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XRLV 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 XRLV?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XRLV charges 0.25%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XRLV?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 13.5% for XRLV. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XRLV -38.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XRLV?
VXUS and XRLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 XRLV?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XRLV yields 2.08%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XRLV better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, XRLV over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.