VXUS vs XYLD
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XYLD?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.60% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $3.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 10.44% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 507 |
| YTD Return | +13.64%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +20.82%Best | +17.85% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.58%Best | +12.77% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.14%Best | +7.69% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -34.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,485Best | $14,484 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Global X by mirae Asset |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jun 21, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 24, 2013 to Sep 17, 2026 (13.2 years).
VXUS vs XYLD 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XYLD Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset. Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% while XYLD returned +17.85%. Year to date, VXUS is up 13.64% versus a gain of 10.00% for XYLD.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.58% per year against +12.77% for XYLD; over five years the annualized figures are +9.14% and +7.69% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.52% annualized vs +5.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 11.2% for XYLD. 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 -34.7% for XYLD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XYLD charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $60 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 10.44% for XYLD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of XYLD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
4 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 490 in XYLD, against full books of 8,747 and 507.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XYLD 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 XYLD?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XYLD charges 0.60%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XYLD?
Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% vs +17.85% for XYLD, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), VXUS annualized +6.52% vs +5.00% for XYLD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XYLD?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 11.2% for XYLD. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XYLD -34.7%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XYLD?
VXUS and XYLD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 XYLD?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XYLD yields 10.44%, so XYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XYLD better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.