DWX vs VXUS
State Street SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DWX or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | DWX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $530M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.11% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 122 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.54% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.69% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.85% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.15% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,796 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 12, 2008 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
DWX 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.
DWX vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF (DWX) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DWX returned +17.69% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, DWX is up 11.54% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, DWX compounded at +16.85% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.15% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +0.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% 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 -59.6% for DWX 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DWX charges 0.45% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $5 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DWX currently yields 4.11% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.8% of DWX'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.
Most of DWX is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
75 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in DWX and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 122 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DWX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MZTF:ILMizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. Share | 2.52% | 0.02% | 2.50% |
| ZURN:SMZurich Insurance Group Ag | 2.17% | 0.25% | 1.92% |
| TCL:AUTransurban Group | 2.16% | 0.07% | 2.09% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.71% | 0.48% | 1.23% |
| SVT:LNSevern Trent Plc | 1.99% | 0.02% | 1.97% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ord Gbp.0311 | 1.70% | 0.28% | 1.42% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.33% | 0.65% | 0.68% |
| UU:LNUnited Utilities Group Plc | 1.93% | 0.03% | 1.90% |
| SCMN:SMSwisscom AG Cl N | 1.89% | 0.04% | 1.85% |
| KPN:ASKoninklijke KPN N.V. Shs | 1.82% | 0.04% | 1.78% |
72.8% of DWX 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DWX or VXUS?
DWX has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DWX or VXUS?
Over the past year DWX returned +17.69% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), DWX annualized +0.51% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DWX or VXUS?
DWX has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DWX -59.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both DWX and VXUS?
DWX 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.
What is the holdings overlap between DWX and VXUS?
At least 72.8% of DWX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 75 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in DWX and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DWX or VXUS?
DWX yields 4.11% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so DWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DWX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.