Average Daily Volume
592.8K
Fund Overview
VSS, or the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF, is designed to provide investors with exposure to small-cap companies located outside the United States. The fund tracks the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, which includes small-cap stocks from both developed and emerging markets. By investing in VSS, investors gain diversified access to smaller companies that may offer higher growth potential compared to their large-cap counterparts. The ETF is known for its low expense ratio, making it a cost-effective option for those seeking international small-cap exposure. VSS is suitable for investors looking to diversify their portfolios geographically and capitalize on the growth opportunities in smaller international firms.
- Asset Class
-
Equity
- Industry
-
N/A
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- N/A
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
17 %
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the VSS ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Diversified exposure to small-cap companies in developed and emerging markets outside the U.S.
- Low expense ratio compared to many peers, enhancing long-term returns.
- Potential for higher growth compared to large-cap international stocks.
- Broad geographic diversification, reducing country-specific risks.
- Liquidity and transparency due to its ETF structure.
Potential Risks
- Higher volatility compared to large-cap or U.S.-focused ETFs.
- Currency risk due to exposure to non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets.
- Political and economic risks in emerging markets.
- Lower liquidity in some small-cap stocks, which may impact trading efficiency.
- Sector concentration risks, as small-cap indices may overweight certain industries.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+6.4%
|
+5.0%
|
-8.9%
|
+8.4%
|
+1.8%
|
-3.6%
|
-2.4%
|
+6.4%
|
-2.8%
|
+0.7%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+0.6%
|
+0.1%
|
+0.3%
|
+4.2%
|
+6.0%
|
+5.9%
|
-0.5%
|
+4.9%
|
+2.2%
|
-0.1%
|
+1.0%
|
+2.1%
|
| 2024 |
-3.1%
|
+1.6%
|
+3.2%
|
-1.9%
|
+4.6%
|
-1.3%
|
+3.2%
|
+1.5%
|
+2.8%
|
-4.7%
|
+0.1%
|
-2.7%
|
| 2023 |
+8.8%
|
-3.1%
|
+0.9%
|
+1.6%
|
-3.5%
|
+4.1%
|
+4.9%
|
-3.8%
|
-4.3%
|
-4.9%
|
+9.4%
|
+6.1%
|
| 2022 |
-5.8%
|
-1.9%
|
+0.1%
|
-7.4%
|
+0.8%
|
-10.4%
|
+5.9%
|
-4.7%
|
-10.8%
|
+3.7%
|
+11.3%
|
-2.3%
|
| 2021 |
-0.6%
|
+4.0%
|
+2.0%
|
+4.3%
|
+2.5%
|
-0.1%
|
+0.9%
|
+1.7%
|
-4.1%
|
+3.2%
|
-4.5%
|
+3.7%
|
| 2020 |
-3.8%
|
-7.8%
|
-20.6%
|
+11.6%
|
+6.4%
|
+4.0%
|
+5.3%
|
+5.9%
|
-1.9%
|
-2.7%
|
+13.1%
|
+6.9%
|
| 2019 |
+7.5%
|
+2.1%
|
+0.3%
|
+2.5%
|
-5.3%
|
+5.0%
|
-2.2%
|
-2.6%
|
+2.1%
|
+3.7%
|
+1.8%
|
+5.3%
|
| 2018 |
+4.4%
|
-4.4%
|
+0.2%
|
+0.3%
|
-0.1%
|
-2.8%
|
+1.0%
|
-1.7%
|
-1.7%
|
-10.1%
|
+1.1%
|
-5.6%
|
| 2017 |
+4.8%
|
+1.6%
|
+2.6%
|
+2.8%
|
+2.1%
|
+1.2%
|
+3.6%
|
+0.9%
|
+2.1%
|
+1.5%
|
+0.9%
|
+3.1%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
|
WSPOF
|
WSP GLOBAL INC |
0.7 % |
|
AETUF
|
ARC RESOURCES LTD |
0.4 % |
|
EMRAF
|
EMERA INC |
0.4 % |
|
GFL
|
GFL ENVIRONMENTAL INC |
0.3 % |
|
SNCAF
|
ATKINSREALIS GROUP INC |
0.3 % |
|
STN
|
STANTEC INC |
0.3 % |
|
CAE
|
CAE INC |
0.3 % |
|
OTEX
|
OPEN TEXT CORP |
0.2 % |
|
PAAS
|
PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP |
0.2 % |
|
GIL
|
GILDAN ACTIVEWEAR INC |
0.2 % |
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 4 total holdings.
Related ETFs: VSS vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
VSS tracks the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, which includes small-cap stocks from both developed and emerging markets outside the U.S. The index is market-cap weighted, meaning larger small-cap companies have a greater influence on performance. The fund holds a diversified portfolio of equities across various sectors and regions, providing broad exposure to international small-caps. VSS is passively managed and rebalances periodically to align with the index, ensuring low turnover and cost efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regions does VSS cover?
VSS includes small-cap stocks from both developed (e.g., Europe, Japan) and emerging markets (e.g., China, Brazil), offering broad international exposure.
How often does VSS rebalance?
VSS rebalances periodically to match its underlying index, typically with low turnover to maintain cost efficiency.
Is VSS a good diversifier for a U.S.-focused portfolio?
Yes, VSS provides exposure to smaller companies outside the U.S., which can reduce concentration risk and offer growth opportunities not available in domestic markets.
What is the expense ratio of VSS?
VSS has a low expense ratio of 0.07%, making it one of the most cost-effective international small-cap ETFs available.
Industry Overview
The Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) provides exposure to the international small-cap equity market, which includes companies with smaller market capitalizations outside the U.S. Investing in international small-caps can offer growth potential, as these companies may be in earlier stages of development or operate in niche markets. However, this segment also carries higher volatility and risks, including currency fluctuations and geopolitical factors. VSS is a popular choice for investors seeking to diversify beyond U.S. large-caps and tap into the growth potential of smaller firms worldwide.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to peers like SCZ (iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF) and GWX (SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF), VSS offers broader geographic diversification by including emerging markets. While SCZ focuses solely on developed markets, VSS provides a more comprehensive small-cap exposure. Additionally, VSS's expense ratio is competitive, often lower than similar funds. Unlike some actively managed small-cap ETFs, VSS follows a passive strategy, reducing costs and tracking error.
Issuer Overview
Vanguard is one of the largest and most reputable ETF issuers globally, known for its low-cost, passive investment strategies. The firm emphasizes long-term investing, broad diversification, and minimizing costs to maximize investor returns. Vanguard's ETFs are widely trusted for their transparency, liquidity, and alignment with investor interests.
Conclusion
VSS is a compelling option for investors seeking cost-effective, diversified exposure to international small-cap stocks. Its low expense ratio, broad market coverage, and Vanguard's reputable management make it a strong choice for long-term portfolios. However, investors should be mindful of the higher volatility and risks associated with small-cap and international investing.
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