EMGF vs VXUS
iShares Emerging Markets Equity Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EMGF or VXUS?
EMGF has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMGF 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 | EMGF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.14% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 702 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +24.27%Best | +15.71% |
| 1Y Return | +37.36%Best | +25.07% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.09%Best | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.36%Best | +9.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,370Best | $15,535 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 10, 2015 to Sep 8, 2026 (10.7 years).
EMGF 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 10.7 years both funds cover.
EMGF vs VXUS Performance
iShares Emerging Markets Equity Factor ETF (EMGF) 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 EMGF returned +37.36% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, EMGF is up 24.27% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Over three years, EMGF compounded at +25.09% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.36% and +9.21% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, EMGF has the edge at +10.66% annualized vs +8.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMGF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 14.8% 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 -40.2% for EMGF 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMGF charges 0.26% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $5 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMGF currently yields 2.14% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 50.2% of EMGF'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
393 positions in common, counted across the 670 positions we hold weights for in EMGF and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 702 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMGF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 4.23% | 2.17% | 2.06% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 2.24% | 0.49% | 1.75% |
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc. | 1.51% | 0.44% | 1.07% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics | 0.90% | 0.27% | 0.63% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd Ord Twd10 | 0.68% | 0.22% | 0.46% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 0.66% | 0.22% | 0.44% |
| ICICIBANK:MBIcici Bank Limited | 0.63% | 0.17% | 0.46% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 0.63% | 0.13% | 0.50% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries, Ltd. | 0.51% | 0.20% | 0.31% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd H Common Stock CNY1.0 | 0.58% | 0.10% | 0.48% |
50.2% of EMGF 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EMGF or VXUS?
EMGF has an expense ratio of 0.26% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMGF or VXUS?
Over the past year EMGF returned +37.36% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so EMGF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), EMGF annualized +10.66% vs +8.06% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMGF or VXUS?
EMGF has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EMGF -40.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EMGF and VXUS?
EMGF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 EMGF and VXUS?
At least 50.2% of EMGF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 393 positions in common, counted across the 670 positions we hold weights for in EMGF and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMGF or VXUS?
EMGF yields 2.14% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EMGF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMGF 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.