EMXC vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EMXC or VXUS?
EMXC has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMXC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | EMXC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $24.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.96% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 644 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +34.84%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +51.10%Best | +20.21% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.20%Best | +19.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.53%Best | +8.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,044Best | $15,379 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 18, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 17, 2015 to Sep 24, 2026 (11.1 years).
EMXC 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
EMXC vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) 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 EMXC returned +51.10% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, EMXC is up 34.84% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, EMXC compounded at +28.20% per year against +19.97% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.53% and +8.99% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, EMXC has the edge at +7.84% annualized vs +6.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMXC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% 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 -46.1% for EMXC 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMXC charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMXC currently yields 1.96% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 48.5% of EMXC'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.
316 positions in common, counted across the 563 positions we hold weights for in EMXC and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 644 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMXC | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 6.86% | 1.41% | 5.45% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 1.81% | 0.35% | 1.46% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 1.15% | 0.21% | 0.94% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co | 0.98% | 0.21% | 0.77% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 0.79% | 0.21% | 0.58% |
| ICICIBANK:MBIcici Bank Ltd Ord Inr2 (demat) | 0.82% | 0.18% | 0.64% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 0.71% | 0.14% | 0.57% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 0.63% | 0.13% | 0.50% |
| BHARTIARTL:MBBharti Airtel Ltd | 0.54% | 0.14% | 0.40% |
| VALE3:BVVale Sa | 0.55% | 0.12% | 0.43% |
48.5% of EMXC 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, EMXC or VXUS?
EMXC has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMXC or VXUS?
Over the past year EMXC returned +51.10% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so EMXC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), EMXC annualized +7.84% vs +6.73% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMXC or VXUS?
EMXC has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EMXC -46.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EMXC and VXUS?
EMXC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EMXC and VXUS?
At least 48.5% of EMXC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 316 positions in common, counted across the 563 positions we hold weights for in EMXC and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMXC or VXUS?
EMXC yields 1.96% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EMXC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EMXC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.