VXUS vs XSD
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XSD?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. XSD 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 | XSD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $2.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 0.16% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +16.15% | +46.68%Best |
| 1Y Return | +27.58% | +71.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48% | +32.61%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09% | +19.41%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 29.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -42.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450 | $24,277Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jan 31, 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 XSD 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VXUS vs XSD Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while XSD returned +71.77%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 46.68% for XSD.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.48% per year against +32.61% for XSD; over five years the annualized figures are +9.09% and +19.41% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XSD has the edge at +19.92% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 29.9% 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 -42.3% for XSD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XSD 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 0.16% for XSD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,094 holdings in VXUS and 47 in XSD, totalling 87.7% and 100.9% 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 47 in XSD, against full books of 8,747 and 48.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XSD 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 XSD?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XSD charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XSD?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +71.77% for XSD, so XSD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.93% vs +19.92% for XSD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XSD?
XSD has been the more volatile fund at 29.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XSD -42.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XSD?
VXUS and XSD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 XSD?
VXUS yields 2.59% while XSD yields 0.16%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSD better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. XSD 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.