AGEM vs VXUS
abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AGEM or VXUS?
AGEM has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AGEM 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 | AGEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $375M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.87% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 96 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +28.05%Best | +14.94% |
| 1Y Return | +37.45%Best | +21.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.26%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +40.26%Best | +9.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $54,284Best | $15,728 |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 4, 1993 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 22, 2026 (15.6 years).
AGEM vs VXUS 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.
AGEM vs VXUS Performance
abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AGEM returned +37.45% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, AGEM is up 28.05% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, AGEM compounded at +40.26% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +40.26% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, AGEM has the edge at +4.91% annualized vs +4.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -33.5% for AGEM and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGEM charges 0.70% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $5 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGEM currently yields 1.87% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 47.5% of AGEM'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
55 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGEM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 96 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AGEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 5.60% | 1.41% | 4.19% |
| GMEXICOB:MXGrupo Mexico Sab De Cv | 3.99% | 0.08% | 3.91% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 3.62% | 0.35% | 3.27% |
| 028260:KRSamsung C&T Corporation | 2.18% | 0.04% | 2.14% |
| BMRI:IDBank Mandiri Persero Tbk Pt | 2.01% | 0.02% | 1.99% |
| 300750:SHContemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. Class A | 1.63% | 0.04% | 1.59% |
| 009540:KRHd Korea Shipbuilding & | 1.59% | 0.03% | 1.56% |
| GFNORTEO:MXGrupo Financiero Banorte Sab De Cv | 1.49% | 0.08% | 1.41% |
| 1180:SASaudi National Bank (The) | 1.41% | 0.07% | 1.34% |
| 0669:HKTechtronic Industries Company Limited Shs | 1.29% | 0.05% | 1.24% |
47.5% of AGEM is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AGEM or VXUS?
AGEM has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGEM or VXUS?
Over the past year AGEM returned +37.45% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so AGEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AGEM annualized +4.91% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGEM or VXUS?
AGEM has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AGEM -33.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both AGEM and VXUS?
AGEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AGEM and VXUS?
At least 47.5% of AGEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 55 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGEM and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGEM or VXUS?
AGEM yields 1.87% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AGEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AGEM 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.