ETW vs VXUS
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Buy-Write Opportunities Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ETW or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
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 | ETW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $936M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.32% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 291 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.82% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.80% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.17% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.21% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,515 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2005 | 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).
ETW 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.
ETW vs VXUS Performance
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Buy-Write Opportunities Fund (ETW) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ETW returned +15.80% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, ETW is up 10.82% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, ETW compounded at +17.17% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.21% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs +1.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ETW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% 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 -57.4% for ETW 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ETW charges 1.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $110 vs $5 annually, a gap of $105 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ETW currently yields 7.32% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 28.7% of ETW'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.
ETW and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, ETW as of Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
95 positions in common, counted across the 259 positions we hold weights for in ETW and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 291 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ETW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 2.61% | 1.42% | 1.19% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 1.68% | 0.54% | 1.14% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.40% | 0.65% | 0.75% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.23% | 0.58% | 0.65% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola Sa | 1.34% | 0.37% | 0.97% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 1.28% | 0.32% | 0.96% |
| FP:PATotal Se | 1.14% | 0.38% | 0.76% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.86% | 0.57% | 0.29% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd | 0.91% | 0.33% | 0.58% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd | 0.79% | 0.34% | 0.45% |
28.7% of ETW 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, ETW or VXUS?
ETW has an expense ratio of 1.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $105 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ETW or VXUS?
Over the past year ETW returned +15.80% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ETW annualized +1.67% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ETW or VXUS?
ETW has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ETW -57.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ETW and VXUS?
ETW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 ETW and VXUS?
At least 28.7% of ETW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 95 positions in common, counted across the 259 positions we hold weights for in ETW and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ETW or VXUS?
ETW yields 7.32% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so ETW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ETW?
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.