ASIA vs VXUS
Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ASIA or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ASIA led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y 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 | ASIA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $52M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 61 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +19.72%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +24.76%Best | +18.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.28% | +21.40%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 11.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,691 | $17,112Best |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (3 years).
ASIA 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 3 years both funds cover.
ASIA vs VXUS Performance
Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF (ASIA) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ASIA returned +24.76% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, ASIA is up 19.72% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, ASIA compounded at +20.28% per year against +21.40% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ASIA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 11.8% 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 -23.9% for ASIA and -13.6% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASIA charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASIA currently yields 0.86% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 37.8% of ASIA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ASIA as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
31 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in ASIA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 61 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ASIA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 4.29% | 1.41% | 2.88% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding, Ltd. | 3.09% | 0.62% | 2.47% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 2.58% | 0.21% | 2.37% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.54% | 0.82% | 0.72% |
| 1398:HKIndustrial & Commercial Bank Manufacturing & . Ltd. | 2.18% | 0.17% | 2.01% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 1.95% | 0.35% | 1.60% |
| 2882:TWCathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd. | 2.07% | 0.07% | 2.00% |
| 300750:SHContemporary Amperex Technology Con Ltd. | 1.76% | 0.04% | 1.72% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 1.64% | 0.09% | 1.55% |
| 402340:KRSK Square Co. Ltd. | 1.50% | 0.14% | 1.36% |
37.8% of ASIA 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ASIA or VXUS?
ASIA has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ASIA or VXUS?
Over the past year ASIA returned +24.76% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so ASIA leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ASIA or VXUS?
ASIA has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 11.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ASIA -23.9% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both ASIA and VXUS?
ASIA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 ASIA and VXUS?
At least 37.8% of ASIA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in ASIA and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ASIA or VXUS?
ASIA yields 0.86% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ASIA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ASIA led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.