Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (EMF) is a ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EMF returned +59.22% while VXUS returned +27.82%. Year to date, EMF is up 29.61% versus a gain of 14.57% for VXUS.

Over three years, EMF compounded at +31.63% per year against +19.27% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.36% and +9.28% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.86% annualized vs +1.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

EMF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 29.3% compared with 15.1% 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 -73.7% for EMF and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

EMF charges 1.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $5 annually, a gap of $145 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMF currently yields 6.49% against 2.60% for VXUS.