EWI vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Italy ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWI or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | EWI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.01% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 32 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.99% | +12.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.44%Best | +20.06% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.77%Best | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.68%Best | +9.43% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.5% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,569Best | $15,692 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | 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 28, 2026 (15.7 years).
EWI 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
EWI vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Italy ETF (EWI) 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 EWI returned +20.44% while VXUS returned +20.06%. Year to date, EWI is up 10.99% versus a gain of 12.65% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWI compounded at +29.77% per year against +20.46% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +17.68% and +9.43% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.70% annualized vs +4.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% 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 -55.1% for EWI 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWI charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWI currently yields 3.01% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 80.0% of EWI'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.
Most of EWI is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
20 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in EWI and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 32 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCG:MIUnicredit Spa | 17.56% | 0.32% | 17.24% |
| ISP:MIIntesa Sanpaolo SpA Shs | 14.73% | 0.26% | 14.47% |
| G:MIGenerali | 4.67% | 0.11% | 4.56% |
| RACE:MIFerrari NV | 4.52% | 0.10% | 4.42% |
| ENI:MIEni S.P.A. Ord | 4.37% | 0.11% | 4.26% |
| BMPS:MIBanca Monte Dei Paschi Siena | 3.82% | 0.06% | 3.76% |
| LDO:MILeonardo Spa | 3.61% | 0.06% | 3.55% |
| BPE:MIBper Banca Spa | 3.53% | 0.06% | 3.47% |
| BAMI:MIBanco Bpm Spa Common Stock Eur 0 | 2.85% | 0.06% | 2.79% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 2.66% | 0.04% | 2.62% |
80.0% of EWI 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, EWI or VXUS?
EWI has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWI or VXUS?
Over the past year EWI returned +20.44% vs +20.06% for VXUS, so EWI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWI annualized +4.69% vs +4.70% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWI or VXUS?
EWI has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWI -55.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWI and VXUS?
EWI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 EWI and VXUS?
At least 80.0% of EWI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in EWI and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWI or VXUS?
EWI yields 3.01% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EWI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.