ECON vs VXUS
Columbia Research Enhanced Emerging Economies ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ECON or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ECON led over 1Y and 3Y, VXUS over 5Y and 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 | ECON | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $318M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 376 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +24.51%Best | +12.21% |
| 1Y Return | +34.13%Best | +19.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.08%Best | +19.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.89% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,619 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 14, 2010 | 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 16, 2026 (15.6 years).
ECON 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.
ECON vs VXUS Performance
Columbia Research Enhanced Emerging Economies ETF (ECON) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ECON returned +34.13% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, ECON is up 24.51% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, ECON compounded at +21.08% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.89% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.69% annualized vs +4.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ECON has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% 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 -45.4% for ECON 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ECON charges 0.47% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $5 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ECON currently yields 1.36% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.2% of ECON'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
230 positions in common, counted across the 343 positions we hold weights for in ECON and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 376 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ECON | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 7.01% | 1.41% | 5.60% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 3.18% | 0.35% | 2.83% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 1.84% | 0.21% | 1.63% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 1.64% | 0.21% | 1.43% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 1.20% | 0.13% | 1.07% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc. | 1.11% | 0.15% | 0.96% |
| 601398:SHIndustrial & Commercial Bank Of China Ltd | 0.99% | 0.17% | 0.82% |
| 601138:SHFoxconn Industrial Internet Co | 1.12% | 0.01% | 1.11% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 0.88% | 0.09% | 0.79% |
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co L | 0.87% | 0.09% | 0.78% |
66.2% of ECON 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, ECON or VXUS?
ECON has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ECON or VXUS?
Over the past year ECON returned +34.13% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so ECON leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ECON annualized +4.27% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ECON or VXUS?
ECON has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ECON -45.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ECON and VXUS?
ECON and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 ECON and VXUS?
At least 66.2% of ECON's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 230 positions in common, counted across the 343 positions we hold weights for in ECON and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ECON or VXUS?
ECON yields 1.36% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ECON?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ECON led over 1Y and 3Y, VXUS over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.