EPHE vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Philippines ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EPHE or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | EPHE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $152M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.84% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 37 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -6.06% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | -9.93% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +1.29% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.07% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,556 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2010 | 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 21, 2026 (15.6 years).
EPHE 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.
EPHE vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Philippines ETF (EPHE) 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 EPHE returned -9.93% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, EPHE is down 6.06% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, EPHE compounded at +1.29% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.07% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs +0.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPHE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% 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 -55.8% for EPHE 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPHE charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPHE currently yields 2.84% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 70.0% of EPHE'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.
Most of EPHE is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
21 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in EPHE and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 37 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EPHE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICT:PHIntl Container Term Svcs Php1 | 22.03% | 0.04% | 21.99% |
| BDO:PHBdo Unibank Inc Ord Php10 | 9.77% | 0.01% | 9.76% |
| SMPH:PHSm Prime Holdings, Inc. | 6.40% | 0.01% | 6.39% |
| BPI:PHBank of The Philippine Islands | 4.31% | 0.01% | 4.30% |
| MER:PHManila Electric Co | 3.48% | 0.00% | 3.48% |
| JFC:PHJollibee Foods Corp | 2.95% | 0.00% | 2.95% |
| GTCAP:PHGt Capital Holdings Inc | 2.20% | 0.00% | 2.20% |
| PGOLD:PHPuregold Price Club Inc | 2.15% | 0.00% | 2.15% |
| CNPF:PHCentury Pacific Food Inc | 2.03% | 0.00% | 2.03% |
| LTG:PHLt Group Inc | 1.82% | 0.00% | 1.82% |
70.0% of EPHE 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, EPHE or VXUS?
EPHE has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPHE or VXUS?
Over the past year EPHE returned -9.93% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EPHE annualized +0.90% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPHE or VXUS?
EPHE has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EPHE -55.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EPHE and VXUS?
EPHE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 EPHE and VXUS?
At least 70.0% of EPHE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in EPHE and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPHE or VXUS?
EPHE yields 2.84% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EPHE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EPHE?
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.