VXUS vs XRT
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XRT?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XRT 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 | XRT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $361M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.78% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +12.82%Best | -4.04% |
| 1Y Return | +19.86%Best | -6.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33%Best | +11.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.46%Best | -1.03% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 23.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -48.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,714Best | $9,496 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs XRT 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 XRT Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% while XRT returned -6.55%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a loss of 4.04% for XRT.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.33% per year against +11.42% for XRT; over five years the annualized figures are +9.46% and -1.03% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XRT has the edge at +8.95% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XRT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.8% 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 -48.6% for XRT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XRT 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 0.78% for XRT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.5% of XRT'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.
XRT and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 76 in XRT, against full books of 8,747 and 77.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XRT 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 XRT?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XRT charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XRT?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs -6.55% for XRT, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.72% vs +8.95% for XRT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XRT?
XRT has been the more volatile fund at 23.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XRT -48.6%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XRT?
VXUS and XRT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VXUS and XRT?
At least 2.5% of XRT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 76 in XRT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XRT?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XRT yields 0.78%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XRT better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XRT over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.