EPU vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EPU or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EPU 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 | EPU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $560M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.86% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 34 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +30.13%Best | +14.94% |
| 1Y Return | +62.15%Best | +21.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +51.00%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +34.35%Best | +9.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $43,771Best | $15,728 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2009 | 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).
EPU 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.
EPU vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF (EPU) 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 EPU returned +62.15% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, EPU is up 30.13% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, EPU compounded at +51.00% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +34.35% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EPU has the edge at +5.80% annualized vs +4.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.7% 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 -64.3% for EPU 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPU 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, EPU currently yields 1.86% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 44.8% of EPU'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.
10 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in EPU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 34 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EPU | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 22.11% | 0.00% | 22.11% |
| 1208:HKMmg Ltd | 3.01% | 0.01% | 3.00% |
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | 2.83% | 0.11% | 2.72% |
| FVI:CAFortuna Mining Corp | 2.77% | 0.01% | 2.76% |
| ISA:COInterconnection Electric Sa Esp | 2.71% | 0.01% | 2.70% |
| PARAUCO:CLParque Arauco Sa | 2.66% | 0.01% | 2.65% |
| PAAS:CAPan American Silver Corp. | 2.58% | 0.04% | 2.54% |
| FALABELLA:CLSaci Falabella | 2.47% | 0.02% | 2.45% |
| TFPM:CATriple Flag Precious Met Common Stock | 2.34% | 0.00% | 2.34% |
| ENTEL:CLEmpresa Nacional De Telecomunicaciones Sa | 1.33% | 0.00% | 1.33% |
44.8% of EPU 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, EPU or VXUS?
EPU 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, EPU or VXUS?
Over the past year EPU returned +62.15% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so EPU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EPU annualized +5.80% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPU or VXUS?
EPU has been the more volatile fund at 24.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EPU -64.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EPU and VXUS?
EPU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 EPU and VXUS?
At least 44.8% of EPU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in EPU and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPU or VXUS?
EPU yields 1.86% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EPU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EPU 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.