DES vs VXUS
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DES or VXUS?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DES led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | DES | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 530 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +17.80%Best | +13.64% |
| 1Y Return | +18.05% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.69% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.84% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,585 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | 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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
DES 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.
DES vs VXUS Performance
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DES returned +18.05% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, DES is up 17.80% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, DES compounded at +13.69% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.84% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, DES has the edge at +7.07% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% 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 -48.1% for DES 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DES charges 0.38% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $5 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DES currently yields 2.29% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.8% of DES'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
4 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in DES and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 530 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DES 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, DES or VXUS?
DES has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DES or VXUS?
Over the past year DES returned +18.05% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), DES annualized +7.07% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DES or VXUS?
DES has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DES -48.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both DES and VXUS?
DES and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DES or VXUS?
DES yields 2.29% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DES?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DES led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.