EWD vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Sweden ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWD or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWD led over 3Y, VXUS over 1Y, 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 | EWD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.51% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $759M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.42% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 51 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.67% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.05% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.87%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.23% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,903 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 12, 1996 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
EWD 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.
EWD vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Sweden ETF (EWD) 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 EWD returned +19.05% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, EWD is up 9.67% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWD compounded at +20.87% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.23% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +4.59%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% 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 -42.4% for EWD 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWD charges 0.51% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $51 vs $5 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWD currently yields 3.42% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 30.8% of EWD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
13 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in EWD and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 51 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOLB:STVolvo Ab | 7.50% | 0.12% | 7.38% |
| SAND:STSandvik Ab | 5.01% | 0.09% | 4.92% |
| ERICB:STEricsson B | 3.47% | 0.07% | 3.40% |
| SHBA:STSvenska Handelsbanken-A Shs | 2.75% | 0.05% | 2.70% |
| ESSITYB:STEssity Ab | 2.13% | 0.04% | 2.09% |
| ALFA:STAlfa Laval Ab | 2.11% | 0.04% | 2.07% |
| BOL:STBoliden Ab | 1.81% | 0.04% | 1.77% |
| TELIA:STTelia | 1.33% | 0.02% | 1.31% |
| ADDTB:STAddtech Ab | 1.19% | 0.02% | 1.17% |
| HM.B:STHennes & Mauri-B | 1.14% | 0.02% | 1.12% |
30.8% of EWD 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, EWD or VXUS?
EWD has an expense ratio of 0.51% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWD or VXUS?
Over the past year EWD returned +19.05% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWD annualized +4.59% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWD or VXUS?
EWD has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWD -42.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWD and VXUS?
EWD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 EWD and VXUS?
At least 30.8% of EWD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in EWD and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWD or VXUS?
EWD yields 3.42% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so EWD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWD led over 3Y, VXUS over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.