VXUS vs XTL
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Telecom ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XTL?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. XTL 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 | XTL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $583M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 1.26% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 42 |
| YTD Return | +14.49% | +34.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.52% | +48.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.55% | +44.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.57% | +18.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -37.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,793 | $23,092Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 21, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs XTL 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XTL Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +21.52% while XTL returned +48.28%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.49% versus a gain of 34.34% for XTL.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.55% per year against +44.27% for XTL; over five years the annualized figures are +9.57% and +18.22% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XTL has the edge at +9.87% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% 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 -37.0% for XTL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XTL 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 2.51% against 1.26% for XTL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 41 in XTL, totalling 88.8% and 100.0% 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 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 41 in XTL, against full books of 8,747 and 42.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XTL 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 XTL?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XTL charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XTL?
Over the past year VXUS returned +21.52% vs +48.28% for XTL, so XTL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.82% vs +9.87% for XTL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XTL?
XTL has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XTL -37.0%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XTL?
VXUS and XTL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 XTL?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XTL yields 1.26%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XTL better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. XTL 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.