EWQ vs VXUS
iShares MSCI France ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | EWQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $336M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.88% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 61 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.52% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.54% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.59% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.95% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,351 | $15,260Best |
| 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 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
EWQ 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.
EWQ vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI France ETF (EWQ) 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 EWQ returned +4.54% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, EWQ is down 1.52% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWQ compounded at +8.59% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.95% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.76% annualized vs +4.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% 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 -40.6% for EWQ 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWQ 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, EWQ currently yields 2.88% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 41.2% of EWQ'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.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, EWQ as of Aug 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
24 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in EWQ and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 61 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWQ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTE:PATotal Energies Se | 7.83% | 0.33% | 7.50% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 6.21% | 0.30% | 5.91% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 5.44% | 0.25% | 5.19% |
| AI:PAAir Liquide Sa | 5.64% | 0.01% | 5.63% |
| EL:PAEssilorluxottica Sa | 2.49% | 0.12% | 2.37% |
| ENGI:PAEngie Sa | 2.34% | 0.01% | 2.33% |
| SGO:PACie De Saint-Gobain Sa | 1.86% | 0.09% | 1.77% |
| MT:LUArcelorMittal SA | 1.46% | 0.06% | 1.40% |
| VIE:PAVeolia Environnement Sa | 1.03% | 0.06% | 0.97% |
| KER:PAKering Sa | 0.97% | 0.04% | 0.93% |
41.2% of EWQ 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, EWQ or VXUS?
EWQ 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, EWQ or VXUS?
Over the past year EWQ returned +4.54% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWQ annualized +4.66% vs +4.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWQ or VXUS?
EWQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWQ -40.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWQ and VXUS?
EWQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EWQ and VXUS?
At least 41.2% of EWQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in EWQ and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWQ or VXUS?
EWQ yields 2.88% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EWQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.