DBEM vs VXUS
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DBEM or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DBEM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | DBEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $109M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.31% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 1,174 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +22.62%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +40.71%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.31%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.44%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.7% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,699Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 9, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 9, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.2 years).
DBEM 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 15.2 years both funds cover.
DBEM vs VXUS Performance
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DBEM returned +40.71% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, DBEM is up 22.62% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, DBEM compounded at +23.31% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.44% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.84% annualized vs +3.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DBEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.7% compared with 15.1% 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 -51.7% for DBEM 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBEM charges 0.66% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $5 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBEM currently yields 2.31% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 54.9% of DBEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
862 positions in common, counted across the 1,154 positions we hold weights for in DBEM and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 1,174 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DBEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 5.60% | 2.17% | 3.43% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 1.89% | 0.49% | 1.40% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 1.41% | 0.44% | 0.97% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.91% | 0.27% | 0.64% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | 0.81% | 0.22% | 0.59% |
| HDBK:MBHdfc Bank Limited Common Stock Inr1.0 | 0.74% | 0.21% | 0.53% |
| ICICIBANK:MBIcici Bank Ltd Ord Inr2 (demat) | 0.66% | 0.17% | 0.49% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 0.61% | 0.20% | 0.41% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 0.59% | 0.22% | 0.37% |
| 601398:SHIndustrial & Commercial Bank Of China Ltd | 0.50% | 0.15% | 0.35% |
54.9% of DBEM 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, DBEM or VXUS?
DBEM has an expense ratio of 0.66% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DBEM or VXUS?
Over the past year DBEM returned +40.71% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so DBEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), DBEM annualized +3.86% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBEM or VXUS?
DBEM has been the more volatile fund at 21.7% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DBEM -51.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both DBEM and VXUS?
DBEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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 DBEM and VXUS?
At least 54.9% of DBEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 862 positions in common, counted across the 1,154 positions we hold weights for in DBEM and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DBEM or VXUS?
DBEM yields 2.31% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DBEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DBEM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.