EEMA vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EEMA or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EEMA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 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 | EEMA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $874M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.32% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 897 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +23.56%Best | +14.49% |
| 1Y Return | +31.92%Best | +21.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.33%Best | +20.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.13% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,478 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 8, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 9, 2012 to Sep 21, 2026 (14.6 years).
EEMA 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
EEMA vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia ETF (EEMA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EEMA returned +31.92% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, EEMA is up 23.56% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, EEMA compounded at +25.33% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.13% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, EEMA has the edge at +6.12% annualized vs +5.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEMA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 14.4% 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 -44.3% for EEMA 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EEMA charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EEMA currently yields 1.32% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 44.9% of EEMA'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.
539 positions in common, counted across the 851 positions we hold weights for in EEMA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 897 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EEMA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 4.46% | 1.41% | 3.05% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 1.75% | 0.35% | 1.40% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 1.13% | 0.21% | 0.92% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co | 0.95% | 0.21% | 0.74% |
| ICICIBANK:MBIcici Bank Ltd Ord Inr2 (demat) | 0.81% | 0.18% | 0.63% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 0.76% | 0.21% | 0.55% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 0.69% | 0.14% | 0.55% |
| 601398:SHIndustrial & Commercial Bank Of China Ltd | 0.62% | 0.17% | 0.45% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 0.62% | 0.13% | 0.49% |
| BHARTIARTL:MBBharti Airtel Ltd | 0.52% | 0.14% | 0.38% |
44.9% of EEMA 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, EEMA or VXUS?
EEMA has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EEMA or VXUS?
Over the past year EEMA returned +31.92% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so EEMA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EEMA annualized +6.12% vs +5.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEMA or VXUS?
EEMA has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EEMA -44.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EEMA and VXUS?
EEMA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 EEMA and VXUS?
At least 44.9% of EEMA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 539 positions in common, counted across the 851 positions we hold weights for in EEMA and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EEMA or VXUS?
EEMA yields 1.32% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EEMA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EEMA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.