VXUS vs ZSL
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs ProShares UltraShort Silver
Which is better, VXUS or ZSL?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Inverse Commodities.
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 | ZSL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $81M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +12.21%Best | -50.02% |
| 1Y Return | +19.22%Best | -86.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.10%Best | -68.16% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.63%Best | -53.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 61.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,127Best | $217 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Inverse Commodities |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 1, 2008 |
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 16, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs ZSL 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 ZSL Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.22% while ZSL returned -86.29%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.21% versus a loss of 50.02% for ZSL.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.10% per year against -68.16% for ZSL; over five years the annualized figures are +8.63% and -53.51% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.69% annualized vs -34.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZSL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 61.0% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while ZSL charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $95 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 0.00% for ZSL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 1 in ZSL, totalling 88.8% and 13.0% 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 1 in ZSL, against full books of 8,747 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and ZSL 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 ZSL?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while ZSL charges 0.95%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or ZSL?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.22% vs -86.29% for ZSL, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.69% vs -34.37% for ZSL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or ZSL?
ZSL has been the more volatile fund at 61.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS.
Should I hold both VXUS and ZSL?
VXUS and ZSL have a monthly-return correlation of -0.45, 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 ZSL?
VXUS yields 2.51% while ZSL yields 0.00%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZSL 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.