DMCY vs VXUS
Democracy International Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DMCY or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DMCY led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | DMCY | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.94% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 5 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.6%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.9 years | $14,521 | $15,241Best |
| Fund Family | Democracy Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 203 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DMCY has data through Feb 13, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2021 to Feb 13, 2026 (4.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DMCY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.5% 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 -28.6% for DMCY and -29.4% 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMCY charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DMCY currently yields 2.94% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 42.3% of DMCY'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.
The two holdings books were reported 273 days apart, DMCY as of Sep 30, 2025 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
120 positions in common, counted across the 198 positions we hold weights for in DMCY and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 5 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DMCY | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VWOVanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund;Etf | 8.43% | 0.11% | 8.32% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 1.76% | 1.70% | 0.06% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.05% | 0.72% | 0.33% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag - Common | 0.96% | 0.65% | 0.31% |
| NESN:SMNestlã S.A., Registered Shares | 0.94% | 0.59% | 0.35% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.85% | 0.64% | 0.21% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.85% | 0.62% | 0.23% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander | 0.67% | 0.45% | 0.22% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc. Cl A | 0.76% | 0.31% | 0.45% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.57% | 0.45% | 0.12% |
42.3% of DMCY 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, DMCY or VXUS?
DMCY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, DMCY or VXUS?
DMCY has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DMCY -28.6% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both DMCY and VXUS?
DMCY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between DMCY and VXUS?
At least 42.3% of DMCY's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 120 positions in common, counted across the 198 positions we hold weights for in DMCY and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DMCY or VXUS?
DMCY yields 2.94% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so DMCY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DMCY?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DMCY led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.