VXUS vs XSLV
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XSLV?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XSLV 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 | XSLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $253M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 2.06% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 119 |
| YTD Return | +16.15%Best | +14.75% |
| 1Y Return | +27.58%Best | +13.18% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48%Best | +11.34% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09%Best | +3.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -45.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450Best | $12,131 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Feb 12, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (13.5 years).
VXUS vs XSLV 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 13.5 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XSLV Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while XSLV returned +13.18%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 14.75% for XSLV.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.48% per year against +11.34% for XSLV; over five years the annualized figures are +9.09% and +3.94% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, XSLV has the edge at +6.45% annualized vs +5.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.4% 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 -45.3% for XSLV. 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 XSLV 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 2.59% against 2.06% for XSLV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.5% of XSLV'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.
XSLV and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 115 in XSLV, against full books of 8,747 and 119.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XSLV 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 XSLV?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XSLV charges 0.25%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XSLV?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +13.18% for XSLV, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), VXUS annualized +5.91% vs +6.45% for XSLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XSLV?
XSLV has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XSLV -45.3%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XSLV?
VXUS and XSLV 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.
What is the holdings overlap between VXUS and XSLV?
At least 1.5% of XSLV'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 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 115 in XSLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XSLV?
VXUS yields 2.59% while XSLV yields 2.06%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSLV better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XSLV over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.