EMDM vs VXUS
First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EMDM or VXUS?
EMDM has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMDM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | EMDM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.09% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 213 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +21.87%Best | +9.82% |
| 1Y Return | +29.90%Best | +13.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.68%Best | +19.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $21,692Best | $16,848 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 2, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 3, 2023 to Nov 11, 2026 (3.7 years).
EMDM 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 3.7 years both funds cover.
EMDM vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EMDM returned +29.90% while VXUS returned +13.33%. Year to date, EMDM is up 21.87% versus a gain of 9.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, EMDM compounded at +28.68% per year against +19.29% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, EMDM has the edge at +23.28% annualized vs +15.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 12.2% 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 -18.8% for EMDM and -13.6% 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
EMDM charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMDM currently yields 3.09% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 92 holdings in EMDM and 8,463 in VXUS, totalling 94.6% and 89.2% 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, 48 positions appear in both.
48 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in EMDM and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 213 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMDM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 5.41% | 1.65% | 3.76% |
| GMEXICOB:MXGrupo Mexico Sab De Cv | 4.47% | 0.08% | 4.39% |
| AULogold Ashanti Limited | 2.21% | 0.09% | 2.12% |
| 500180:MBHDFC Bank Limited | 1.72% | 0.19% | 1.53% |
| PKN:PLPolski Koncern Naftowy Orlen S.A. | 1.78% | 0.05% | 1.73% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 1.29% | 0.50% | 0.79% |
| GFNORTEO:MXGrupo Financiero Banorte Sab De Cv | 1.62% | 0.06% | 1.56% |
| GFI:ZAGold Fields Ltd | 1.59% | 0.07% | 1.52% |
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 1.26% | 0.00% | 1.26% |
| SBK:ZAStandard Bank Group Ltd. | 1.19% | 0.05% | 1.14% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMDM 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, EMDM or VXUS?
EMDM has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMDM or VXUS?
Over the past year EMDM returned +29.90% vs +13.33% for VXUS, so EMDM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), EMDM annualized +23.28% vs +15.14% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMDM or VXUS?
EMDM has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 12.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EMDM -18.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both EMDM and VXUS?
EMDM 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMDM or VXUS?
EMDM yields 3.09% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so EMDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EMDM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMDM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.