VXUS vs XSW
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XSW?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XSW 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 | XSW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $508M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 133 |
| YTD Return | +15.71%Best | +7.68% |
| 1Y Return | +25.07%Best | +2.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.30%Best | +14.11% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.21%Best | +2.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 21.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -45.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,535Best | $11,177 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 28, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2011 to Sep 8, 2026 (14.9 years).
VXUS vs XSW 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XSW Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +25.07% while XSW returned +2.26%. Year to date, VXUS is up 15.71% versus a gain of 7.68% for XSW.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.30% per year against +14.11% for XSW; over five years the annualized figures are +9.21% and +2.25% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, XSW has the edge at +15.64% annualized vs +6.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 14.7% 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 -45.4% for XSW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XSW 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 0.00% for XSW.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.3% of XSW'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.
XSW and VXUS share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 132 in XSW, against full books of 8,747 and 133.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 8,092 and 132 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 48 positions XSW does not, 2.4% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.48%, IBDRY 0.37%, ASX 0.16%, BALN 3.4 04/15/30 14 0.16%, PRYMY 0.11%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XSW 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 XSW?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XSW charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XSW?
Over the past year VXUS returned +25.07% vs +2.26% for XSW, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), VXUS annualized +6.31% vs +15.64% for XSW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XSW?
XSW has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XSW -45.4%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XSW?
VXUS and XSW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 XSW?
At least 2.3% of XSW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 132 in XSW.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XSW?
VXUS yields 2.59% while XSW yields 0.00%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSW better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XSW over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.