EMIF vs VXUS
iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EMIF or VXUS?
Large Cap Value 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 | EMIF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.25% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 47 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.49% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.17% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.11% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.09% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,818 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2009 | 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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
EMIF 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.
EMIF vs VXUS Performance
iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) 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 EMIF returned +6.17% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, EMIF is up 0.49% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, EMIF compounded at +12.11% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.09% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs -0.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMIF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% 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 -54.6% for EMIF 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMIF charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMIF currently yields 4.25% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 54.7% of EMIF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.
12 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in EMIF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 47 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMIF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAC:MXGrupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Sab De Cv Adr | 9.95% | 0.00% | 9.95% |
| SBSP3:BVCompanhia De Saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo-Sabesp American Depositary Shares (Each Repstg 250 Common Shares) | 7.81% | 0.00% | 7.81% |
| ADNOCDRILL:AEAdnoc Drilling Company Aed0.1 | 6.47% | 0.01% | 6.46% |
| ASURB:MXGrupo Aeroportuario Del Sureste Sab De Cv | 5.44% | 0.01% | 5.43% |
| QGTS:QAQatar Gas Transport Co Ltd | 5.18% | 0.01% | 5.17% |
| KEP:SIKeppel Ltd | 3.74% | 0.03% | 3.71% |
| MOTV3:BVMotiva Infraestrutura De Mob | 3.63% | 0.01% | 3.62% |
| ELPC:BVCompanhia Paranaense De Energia American Depositary Shares (Each Representing Four (4) Common Shares) | 3.61% | 0.00% | 3.61% |
| 1816:SHCgn Power Company Limited | 2.80% | 0.01% | 2.79% |
| 2883:HKChina Development Financial Common Stock Twd10. | 2.71% | 0.03% | 2.68% |
54.7% of EMIF 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EMIF or VXUS?
EMIF has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMIF or VXUS?
Over the past year EMIF returned +6.17% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EMIF annualized -0.30% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMIF or VXUS?
EMIF has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EMIF -54.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EMIF and VXUS?
EMIF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 EMIF and VXUS?
At least 54.7% of EMIF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in EMIF and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMIF or VXUS?
EMIF yields 4.25% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EMIF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EMIF?
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.