EPEM vs VXUS
Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EPEM or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EPEM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | EPEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.84% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.85% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 44 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +25.73%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +35.75%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.3% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $15,638Best | $13,160 |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.3 years).
EPEM 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
EPEM vs VXUS Performance
Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EPEM) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EPEM returned +35.75% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, EPEM is up 25.73% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 13.2% 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 -13.3% for EPEM and -11.3% 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPEM charges 0.84% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $84 vs $5 annually, a gap of $79 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPEM currently yields 2.85% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 49.6% of EPEM'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.
26 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in EPEM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 44 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EPEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 4.30% | 0.35% | 3.95% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 4.00% | 0.13% | 3.87% |
| CIB:COGrupo Cibest Sa Adr | 4.10% | 0.01% | 4.09% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co | 3.50% | 0.21% | 3.29% |
| 192820:KRCosmax Inc | 3.50% | 0.00% | 3.50% |
| 2377:TWMicro-Star International Co Ltd | 3.40% | 0.01% | 3.39% |
| 0IKH:LNKomercni Banka As | 2.30% | 0.01% | 2.29% |
| FSR:ZAFirstrand Ltd | 2.10% | 0.07% | 2.03% |
| 9987:CNYum China Holdings Inc | 2.00% | 0.03% | 1.97% |
| ABEV3:BVAmbev S.A. | 1.90% | 0.03% | 1.87% |
49.6% of EPEM 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, EPEM or VXUS?
EPEM has an expense ratio of 0.84% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $79 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPEM or VXUS?
Over the past year EPEM returned +35.75% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so EPEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), EPEM annualized +41.05% vs +23.52% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPEM or VXUS?
EPEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 13.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EPEM -13.3% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both EPEM and VXUS?
EPEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 EPEM and VXUS?
At least 49.6% of EPEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in EPEM and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPEM or VXUS?
EPEM yields 2.85% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EPEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EPEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EPEM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.