VXUS vs XTN
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Transportation ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XTN?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XTN 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 | XTN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $348M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.70% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 44 |
| YTD Return | +14.49%Best | +9.31% |
| 1Y Return | +21.52%Best | +19.56% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.55%Best | +11.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.57%Best | +4.32% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 23.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -44.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,793Best | $12,355 |
| 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 XTN 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 XTN Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +21.52% while XTN returned +19.56%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.49% versus a gain of 9.31% for XTN.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.55% per year against +11.41% for XTN; over five years the annualized figures are +9.57% and +4.32% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XTN has the edge at +9.46% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XTN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% 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 -44.9% for XTN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XTN 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 0.70% for XTN.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 44 in XTN, totalling 88.8% and 99.9% 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 44 in XTN, against full books of 8,747 and 44.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 8,082 and 44 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions XTN does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XTN 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 XTN?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XTN charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XTN?
Over the past year VXUS returned +21.52% vs +19.56% for XTN, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.82% vs +9.46% for XTN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XTN?
XTN has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XTN -44.9%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XTN?
VXUS and XTN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 XTN?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XTN yields 0.70%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XTN better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XTN over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.