EPP vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EPP or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | EPP | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.23% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 103 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.92% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.60% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.76% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,869 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2001 | 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 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
EPP 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.
EPP vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) 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 EPP returned +11.92% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, EPP is up 11.49% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, EPP compounded at +15.60% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.76% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs +2.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% 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 -43.5% for EPP 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPP charges 0.47% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $5 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPP currently yields 3.23% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 62.3% of EPP'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.
48 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in EPP and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 103 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EPP | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 10.29% | 0.31% | 9.98% |
| CBA:AUCommonwealth Bank Of Australia | 8.18% | 0.47% | 7.71% |
| 1299:HKAia Group Ltd | 4.30% | 0.24% | 4.06% |
| NAB:AUNational Australia Bank Ltd. Ordinary Fully Paid | 3.68% | 0.20% | 3.48% |
| ANZ:AUAustralia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 3.42% | 0.18% | 3.24% |
| MQG:AUMacquarie Bank Ltd. | 2.80% | 0.14% | 2.66% |
| WES:AUWesfarmers Ltd | 2.75% | 0.16% | 2.59% |
| CSL:AUCsl Ltd | 2.50% | 0.09% | 2.41% |
| WDS:AUWoodside Energy | 1.88% | 0.10% | 1.78% |
| GMG:AUGoodman Group | 1.69% | 0.09% | 1.60% |
62.3% of EPP 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, EPP or VXUS?
EPP has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPP or VXUS?
Over the past year EPP returned +11.92% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EPP annualized +2.72% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPP or VXUS?
EPP has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EPP -43.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EPP and VXUS?
EPP and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 EPP and VXUS?
At least 62.3% of EPP's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in EPP and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPP or VXUS?
EPP yields 3.23% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EPP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EPP?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.