EPOL vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Poland ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EPOL or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EPOL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | EPOL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $840M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.32% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 39 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +26.64%Best | +14.94% |
| 1Y Return | +48.29%Best | +21.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +44.43%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.47%Best | +9.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,339Best | $15,728 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 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 22, 2026 (15.6 years).
EPOL 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.
EPOL vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) 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 EPOL returned +48.29% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, EPOL is up 26.64% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, EPOL compounded at +44.43% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +19.47% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.84% annualized vs +3.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPOL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.0% 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 -72.4% for EPOL 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPOL 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, EPOL currently yields 3.32% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 74.3% of EPOL'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 EPOL is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
20 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in EPOL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 39 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EPOL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PKO:PLPowszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski S.A. Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski Sa | 15.43% | 0.06% | 15.37% |
| PKN:PLPolski Koncern Naftowy Orlen Sa | 13.85% | 0.05% | 13.80% |
| PEO:PLBank Pekao S.A. | 7.09% | 0.03% | 7.06% |
| PZU:PLPowszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen S.A. Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen Sa | 6.42% | 0.02% | 6.40% |
| KGH:PLKGHM Polska Miedz S.A. Kghm Polska Miedz Sa | 4.59% | 0.03% | 4.56% |
| EBP:PLErste Bank Polska Sa | 4.43% | 0.02% | 4.41% |
| DNP:PLDino Polska Sa Sedol Bd0yvn2 | 2.97% | 0.01% | 2.96% |
| BFT:PLBenefit Systems Sa | 2.78% | 0.01% | 2.77% |
| XTB:PLX Trade Brokers Dom Maklersk Common Stock Pln.05 | 2.42% | 0.01% | 2.41% |
| ZAB:LUZabka Group Sa | 2.18% | 0.01% | 2.17% |
74.3% of EPOL 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, EPOL or VXUS?
EPOL 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, EPOL or VXUS?
Over the past year EPOL returned +48.29% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so EPOL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EPOL annualized +3.20% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPOL or VXUS?
EPOL has been the more volatile fund at 27.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EPOL -72.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EPOL and VXUS?
EPOL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 EPOL and VXUS?
At least 74.3% of EPOL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in EPOL and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPOL or VXUS?
EPOL yields 3.32% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EPOL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EPOL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EPOL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.