EES vs VXUS
WisdomTree US SmallCap Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EES or VXUS?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EES led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 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 | EES | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $720M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 903 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +21.27%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +23.42% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.58% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.45% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,002 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2007 | 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).
EES 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.
EES vs VXUS Performance
WisdomTree US SmallCap Fund (EES) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EES returned +23.42% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, EES is up 21.27% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, EES compounded at +16.58% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.45% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EES has the edge at +9.75% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% 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 -51.6% for EES 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EES charges 0.38% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $5 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EES currently yields 1.14% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.2% of EES's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
EES and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, EES as of Mar 31, 2026 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 855 positions we hold weights for in EES and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 903 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EES | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTX:SGMinerals Technologies Inc | 0.25% | 0.05% | 0.20% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.28% | 0.00% | 0.28% |
| UTG:LNUnite Group Plc/ The | 0.26% | 0.01% | 0.25% |
| CASHProsegur Cash Sa | 0.19% | 0.00% | 0.19% |
| FBK:MIFb Financial Corporation Common Stock | 0.16% | 0.03% | 0.13% |
| FREG:MUFresenius Se & Company, Kgaa | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EES 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, EES or VXUS?
EES has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EES or VXUS?
Over the past year EES returned +23.42% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EES annualized +9.75% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EES or VXUS?
EES has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EES -51.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EES and VXUS?
EES and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 EES and VXUS?
At least 1.2% of EES's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 855 positions we hold weights for in EES and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EES or VXUS?
EES yields 1.14% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EES?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EES led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.