VXUS vs. XLRE

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and XLRE (Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while XLRE is a REIT fund tracking the Real Estate Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 9.19%/yr vs 6.96%/yr for XLRE. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLRE.

Performance

VXUS vs. XLRE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 10.17% return, which is significantly lower than XLRE's 11.53% return. Over the past 10 years, VXUS has outperformed XLRE with an annualized return of 9.19%, while XLRE has yielded a comparatively lower 6.96% annualized return.

VXUS

• 1D: -3.73%
• 1M: -2.81%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 25.97%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

XLRE

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 11.53%
• 6M: 10.98%
• 1Y: 10.45%
• 3Y*: 10.37%
• 5Y*: 3.42%
• 10Y*: 6.96%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VXUS vs. XLRE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	10.17%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	11.53%	2.63%	5.09%	12.36%	-26.25%	46.10%	-2.18%	28.68%	-2.39%	10.69%

Correlation

The correlation between VXUS and XLRE is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2015	0.49

The correlation between VXUS and XLRE shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VXUS vs. XLRE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VXUS	XLRE
Financial Services	22.3%	-
Technology	18.1%	-
Industrials	16.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	-
Basic Materials	7.6%	1.9%
Healthcare	7.1%	-
Energy	5.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	-
Communication Services	4.4%	-
Utilities	3.2%	-
Real Estate	2.6%	98.0%

Return for Risk

VXUS vs. XLRE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 50
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 54

XLRE

XLRE Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
XLRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
XLRE Omega Ratio Rank: 22
XLRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
XLRE Martin Ratio Rank: 26

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VXUS vs. XLRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VXUS	XLRE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	0.80	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	1.15	+1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.14	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	1.30	+1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.11	3.56	+5.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXUS vs. XLRE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the XLRE Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXUS and XLRE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VXUS	XLRE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	0.80	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.18	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.34	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.36	+0.01

Drawdowns

VXUS vs. XLRE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum XLRE drawdown of -38.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and XLRE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXUS	XLRE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.97%	-38.83%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.27%	-8.33%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	-16.74%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.44%	-34.12%	+4.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	-38.83%	+2.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.52%	-0.32%	-4.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-9.60%	+1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	3.03%	-0.14%

Volatility

VXUS vs. XLRE - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a higher volatility of 6.16% compared to Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) at 4.10%. This indicates that VXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLRE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VXUS	XLRE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.16%	4.10%	+2.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.58%	9.87%	+3.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.67%	13.59%	+2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	19.08%	-2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.19%	20.40%	-3.21%

VXUS vs. XLRE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than XLRE's 0.13% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VXUS vs. XLRE - Dividend Comparison

VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than XLRE's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.75%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	3.13%	3.45%	3.43%	3.31%	3.70%	2.61%	3.15%	3.06%	3.78%	3.25%	4.22%	1.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VXUS and XLRE in my portfolio?

VXUS and XLRE have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VXUS or XLRE?

VXUS has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to XLRE (4.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs XLRE's -38.83%.

Which ETF is better, VXUS or XLRE?

On 10-year performance, VXUS leads with 9.19% vs 6.96% for XLRE. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, XLRE has been the lower-risk option at 4.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VXUS or XLRE?

Over the 10-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 9.19% return vs 6.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXUS or XLRE?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLRE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VXUS or XLRE?

XLRE has the higher dividend yield at 3.13%, compared with 2.75% for VXUS.

What is the main difference between VXUS and XLRE?

VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while XLRE is REIT. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while XLRE tracks Real Estate Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.13% for XLRE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 0.80), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.