AVEM vs VXUS
Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AVEM or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AVEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | AVEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.33% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $28.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.98% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 3,967 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +23.52%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +39.06%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.66%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.48%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.0% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,460Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 17, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 19, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7 years).
AVEM 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 7 years both funds cover.
AVEM vs VXUS Performance
Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AVEM returned +39.06% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, AVEM is up 23.52% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, AVEM compounded at +24.66% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.48% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AVEM has the edge at +12.42% annualized vs +10.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 16.2% 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 -36.0% for AVEM and -35.1% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVEM charges 0.33% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $33 vs $5 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVEM currently yields 1.98% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,199 holdings in AVEM and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 91.1% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 792 positions appear in both.
792 positions in common, counted across the 1,199 positions we hold weights for in AVEM and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 3,967 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 6.32% | 2.17% | 4.15% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 0.96% | 0.44% | 0.52% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | 0.69% | 0.22% | 0.47% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.57% | 0.27% | 0.30% |
| 2303:TWUnited Microelectronics Corp | 0.62% | 0.13% | 0.49% |
| ASX:TWAse Technology Holding Co., Ltd. American Depositary Shares (Each Representing Two Common Shares) | 0.58% | 0.16% | 0.42% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 0.53% | 0.13% | 0.40% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd H Common Stock CNY1.0 | 0.53% | 0.10% | 0.43% |
| 066570:KRLg Electronics Inc | 0.56% | 0.03% | 0.53% |
| REL:LNReliance Inds-Spons GDR 144A | 0.46% | 0.12% | 0.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AVEM and VXUS 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, AVEM or VXUS?
AVEM has an expense ratio of 0.33% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVEM or VXUS?
Over the past year AVEM returned +39.06% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so AVEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AVEM annualized +12.42% vs +10.41% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVEM or VXUS?
AVEM has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 16.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AVEM -36.0% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both AVEM and VXUS?
AVEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVEM or VXUS?
AVEM yields 1.98% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AVEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AVEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.