EEMS vs VXUS
Ishares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EEMS or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 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 | EEMS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.72% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $374M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.09% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,723 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.03% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.96% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.38% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,276 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 16, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 18, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.1 years).
EEMS 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 15.1 years both funds cover.
EEMS vs VXUS Performance
Ishares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EEMS) 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 EEMS returned +13.03% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, EEMS is up 11.49% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, EEMS compounded at +13.96% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.38% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.71% annualized vs +3.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% 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 -51.7% for EEMS 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EEMS charges 0.72% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $72 vs $5 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EEMS currently yields 3.09% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,464 holdings in EEMS and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 91.4% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 798 positions appear in both.
798 positions in common, counted across the 1,464 positions we hold weights for in EEMS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,723 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EEMS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6274:TWTaiwan Union Technology Corp | 0.65% | 0.02% | 0.63% |
| 3081:TWLandmark Optoelectronics Corp | 0.55% | 0.01% | 0.54% |
| 3189:TWKinsus Interconnect Technology Corp | 0.51% | 0.01% | 0.50% |
| 8046:TWNan Ya Printed Circuit Board Corp | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| 2313:TWCompeq Manufacturing Co | 0.48% | 0.01% | 0.47% |
| 6770:TWPowerchip Semiconductor Manu | 0.44% | 0.01% | 0.43% |
| 3044:TWTripod Technology Corp | 0.43% | 0.01% | 0.42% |
| COFORGE:MBCoforge Limited | 0.39% | 0.01% | 0.38% |
| 2404:TWUnited Integrated Services Co Ltd | 0.36% | 0.01% | 0.35% |
| 6239:TWPowertech Technology Inc | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EEMS 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, EEMS or VXUS?
EEMS has an expense ratio of 0.72% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EEMS or VXUS?
Over the past year EEMS returned +13.03% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EEMS annualized +3.84% vs +5.71% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEMS or VXUS?
EEMS has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EEMS -51.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EEMS and VXUS?
EEMS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, EEMS or VXUS?
EEMS yields 3.09% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EEMS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EEMS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.