EWJ vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Japan ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWJ or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWJ led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | EWJ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $22.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.72% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 173 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +21.10%Best | +14.49% |
| 1Y Return | +25.76%Best | +21.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.04% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.60% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,106 | $15,793Best |
| 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 21, 2026 (15.6 years).
EWJ 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.
EWJ vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) 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 EWJ returned +25.76% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, EWJ is up 21.10% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWJ compounded at +20.04% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.60% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EWJ has the edge at +6.15% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.2% for EWJ. 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 -33.2% for EWJ 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWJ charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWJ currently yields 3.72% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 87.9% of EWJ'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 EWJ is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
152 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in EWJ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 173 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWJ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8316:JPSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. Shs | 2.99% | 0.35% | 2.64% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd. Com Stk | 2.96% | 0.33% | 2.63% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 2.90% | 0.32% | 2.58% |
| 6501:JPHitachi Ltd | 2.83% | 0.32% | 2.51% |
| 6098:JPRecruit Holdings Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 2.84% | 0.24% | 2.60% |
| 6758:JPSony Corp | 2.75% | 0.31% | 2.44% |
| 8411:JPMizuho Financial Group Inc. Com Stk | 2.36% | 0.27% | 2.09% |
| 9984:JPSoftbank Corp | 2.27% | 0.26% | 2.01% |
| 285A:JPKioxia Holdings Corp | 2.26% | 0.21% | 2.05% |
| 6861:JPKeyence Corp | 1.86% | 0.21% | 1.65% |
87.9% of EWJ 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, EWJ or VXUS?
EWJ has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWJ or VXUS?
Over the past year EWJ returned +25.76% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so EWJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWJ annualized +6.15% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWJ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.2% for EWJ. Worst drawdown: EWJ -33.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWJ and VXUS?
EWJ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 EWJ and VXUS?
At least 87.9% of EWJ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 152 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in EWJ and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWJ or VXUS?
EWJ yields 3.72% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EWJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWJ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWJ led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.