EWK vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Belgium ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWK or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWK led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 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 | EWK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $169M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.79% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 43 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.27% | +14.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.12% | +21.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.12% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.50% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,356 | $15,728Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid 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 22, 2026 (15.6 years).
EWK 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.
EWK vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) 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 EWK returned +20.12% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, EWK is up 11.27% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWK compounded at +18.12% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.50% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EWK has the edge at +5.59% annualized vs +4.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% 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 -45.8% for EWK 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWK 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, EWK currently yields 1.79% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 88.3% of EWK'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 EWK is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
29 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in EWK and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 43 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWK | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABI:BRAnheuser-Busch Inbev Sa/Nv | 20.07% | 0.18% | 19.89% |
| ARGX:ASArgenx Se | 17.03% | 0.12% | 16.91% |
| KBC:BRKbc Group Nv | 7.67% | 0.07% | 7.60% |
| UCB:BRUcb Sa | 4.36% | 0.07% | 4.29% |
| AED:BRAedifica Nv | 3.35% | 0.02% | 3.33% |
| ACKB:BEACEA | 2.78% | 0.02% | 2.76% |
| SYENS:BRSyensqo Sa | 2.60% | 0.01% | 2.59% |
| GBLB:BRGroupe Bruxelles Lambert S.A. Act | 2.57% | 0.02% | 2.55% |
| ELI:BRElia System Operator Sa/nv | 2.52% | 0.01% | 2.51% |
| LOTB:BRLotus Bakeries | 2.49% | 0.01% | 2.48% |
88.3% of EWK 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, EWK or VXUS?
EWK 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, EWK or VXUS?
Over the past year EWK returned +20.12% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWK annualized +5.59% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWK or VXUS?
EWK has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWK -45.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWK and VXUS?
EWK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 EWK and VXUS?
At least 88.3% of EWK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in EWK and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWK or VXUS?
EWK yields 1.79% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWK?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWK led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.