VXUS vs XSHD
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Invesco S&P SmallCap High Dividend Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XSHD?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Value.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | XSHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.30% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $71M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 4.90% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 55 |
| YTD Return | +15.71%Best | +9.23% |
| 1Y Return | +25.07%Best | +3.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.30%Best | +1.92% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.21%Best | -3.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 21.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -49.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,535Best | $8,162 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 1, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 1, 2016 to Sep 8, 2026 (9.8 years).
VXUS vs XSHD 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XSHD Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P SmallCap High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (XSHD) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +25.07% while XSHD returned +3.48%. Year to date, VXUS is up 15.71% versus a gain of 9.23% for XSHD.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.30% per year against +1.92% for XSHD; over five years the annualized figures are +9.21% and -3.98% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +8.90% annualized vs -0.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 15.1% 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 -49.5% for XSHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XSHD charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $30 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.59% against 4.90% for XSHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of XSHD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
XSHD and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 60 in XSHD, against full books of 8,747 and 55.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XSHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCLShawcor, Ltd. | 0.00% | 1.04% | 1.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XSHD 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 XSHD?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XSHD charges 0.30%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XSHD?
Over the past year VXUS returned +25.07% vs +3.48% for XSHD, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), VXUS annualized +8.90% vs -0.48% for XSHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XSHD?
XSHD has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XSHD -49.5%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XSHD?
VXUS and XSHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 XSHD?
At least 1.0% of XSHD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 60 in XSHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XSHD?
VXUS yields 2.59% while XSHD yields 4.90%, so XSHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSHD better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.