EWG vs VTI
iShares MSCI Germany ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EWG or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | EWG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.94% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 58 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.43% | +12.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.60% | +19.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.09% | +20.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.39% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,283 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 12, 1996 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 8, 2026 (25.3 years).
EWG vs VTI 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
EWG vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EWG returned +6.60% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, EWG is up 4.43% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Over three years, EWG compounded at +19.09% per year against +20.86% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.39% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.07% annualized vs +4.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -65.1% for EWG and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWG charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWG currently yields 1.94% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.3% of EWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
EWG and VTI share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in EWG and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 58 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWG and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EWG or VTI?
EWG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWG or VTI?
Over the past year EWG returned +6.60% vs +19.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), EWG annualized +4.46% vs +8.07% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWG or VTI?
EWG has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EWG -65.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both EWG and VTI?
EWG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 EWG and VTI?
At least 2.3% of EWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in EWG and 2,788 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWG or VTI?
EWG yields 1.94% while VTI yields 1.07%, so EWG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EWG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.