VXUS vs XSHQ
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XSHQ?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XSHQ 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 | XSHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.29% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $297M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 1.18% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 122 |
| YTD Return | +14.48%Best | +10.41% |
| 1Y Return | +22.28%Best | +5.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.00%Best | +10.08% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.91%Best | +6.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 19.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -38.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,323Best | $13,727 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Apr 3, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 6, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9.4 years).
VXUS vs XSHQ 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 9.4 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XSHQ Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% while XSHQ returned +5.28%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.48% versus a gain of 10.41% for XSHQ.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.00% per year against +10.08% for XSHQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.91% and +6.54% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, XSHQ has the edge at +8.47% annualized vs +8.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSHQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 15.3% 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 -38.3% for XSHQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XSHQ charges 0.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $29 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 1.18% for XSHQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.3% of XSHQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
XSHQ and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 120 in XSHQ, against full books of 8,747 and 122.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XSHQ 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 XSHQ?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XSHQ charges 0.29%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XSHQ?
Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% vs +5.28% for XSHQ, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VXUS annualized +8.08% vs +8.47% for XSHQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XSHQ?
XSHQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XSHQ -38.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XSHQ?
VXUS and XSHQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 XSHQ?
At least 1.3% of XSHQ'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 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 120 in XSHQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XSHQ?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XSHQ yields 1.18%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSHQ better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XSHQ over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.