EMSF vs VXUS
Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EMSF or VXUS?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMSF led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | EMSF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $45M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 61 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +32.63%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +33.10%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.28% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.4% | 11.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.8% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,131 | $17,289Best |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3 years).
EMSF 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 years both funds cover.
EMSF vs VXUS Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF (EMSF) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EMSF returned +33.10% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, EMSF is up 32.63% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, EMSF compounded at +17.28% per year against +19.33% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMSF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 11.9% 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 -24.8% for EMSF 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMSF charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMSF currently yields 1.35% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 56 holdings in EMSF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 91.0% and 88.8% 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, 33 positions appear in both.
33 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in EMSF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 61 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMSF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 5.33% | 0.09% | 5.24% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 4.90% | 0.14% | 4.76% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 3.59% | 0.62% | 2.97% |
| 084370:KREugene Technology Ltd | 3.97% | 0.00% | 3.97% |
| BANDHANBNK:MBBandhan Bank, Ltd. | 3.30% | 0.00% | 3.30% |
| 267260:KRHyundai Electric & Energy Systems | 2.22% | 0.02% | 2.20% |
| 5904:TWPoya International Co Ltd | 2.13% | 0.00% | 2.13% |
| ASTOR:TRAstor Transformator Enerji T | 2.11% | 0.01% | 2.10% |
| 300750:SHContemporary Amperex Technology Con Ltd. | 2.03% | 0.04% | 1.99% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 1.81% | 0.21% | 1.60% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMSF 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, EMSF or VXUS?
EMSF has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMSF or VXUS?
Over the past year EMSF returned +33.10% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so EMSF leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMSF or VXUS?
EMSF has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 11.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EMSF -24.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both EMSF and VXUS?
EMSF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, EMSF or VXUS?
EMSF yields 1.35% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EMSF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMSF led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.