VXUS vs ZSEP
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September
Which is better, VXUS or ZSEP?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | ZSEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $123M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +16.15%Best | +4.05% |
| 1Y Return | +27.58%Best | +5.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0% | 2.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6% | -4.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $15,065Best | $11,359 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Aug 31, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 3, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (2 years).
VXUS vs ZSEP 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 2 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs ZSEP Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September (ZSEP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while ZSEP returned +5.97%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 4.05% for ZSEP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.0% compared with 2.7% for ZSEP. 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 -13.6% for VXUS and -4.0% for ZSEP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while ZSEP charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $79 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.59% against 0.00% for ZSEP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and ZSEP 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 ZSEP?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while ZSEP charges 0.79%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or ZSEP?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +5.97% for ZSEP, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VXUS annualized +22.74% vs +6.58% for ZSEP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or ZSEP?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 2.7% for ZSEP. Worst drawdown: VXUS -13.6% vs ZSEP -4.0%.
Should I hold both VXUS and ZSEP?
VXUS and ZSEP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 ZSEP?
VXUS yields 2.59% while ZSEP yields 0.00%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZSEP better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.