EWU vs VXUS
iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWU or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWU led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y 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 | EWU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.10% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 74 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.28% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.14% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.17% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.89%Best | +8.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,537Best | $15,127 |
| 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 16, 2026 (15.6 years).
EWU 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.
EWU vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) 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 EWU returned +17.14% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, EWU is up 8.28% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWU compounded at +18.17% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.89% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.69% annualized vs +3.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% 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 -55.4% for EWU 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
EWU 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, EWU currently yields 3.10% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 94.8% of EWU'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 EWU is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
63 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in EWU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 74 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWU | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 11.00% | 0.82% | 10.18% |
| SHELShell Plc | 7.79% | 0.57% | 7.22% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 7.58% | 0.57% | 7.01% |
| RR:LNRolls Royce Holdings Plc Common Stock Gbp.2 | 5.35% | 0.38% | 4.97% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ord Gbp.0311 | 4.33% | 0.30% | 4.03% |
| BATS:LNBritish American Tobacco Plc Common Stock GBP 25 | 3.46% | 0.28% | 3.18% |
| RIO:LNRio Tinto Plc Ordinary Shares | 3.43% | 0.23% | 3.20% |
| BP:LNBp Plc | 3.38% | 0.26% | 3.12% |
| GSK:LNGSK plc | 3.14% | 0.23% | 2.91% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 2.82% | 0.21% | 2.61% |
94.8% of EWU 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, EWU or VXUS?
EWU 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, EWU or VXUS?
Over the past year EWU returned +17.14% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWU annualized +3.43% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWU or VXUS?
EWU has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWU -55.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWU and VXUS?
EWU 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 EWU and VXUS?
At least 94.8% of EWU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 63 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in EWU and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWU or VXUS?
EWU yields 3.10% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EWU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWU led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y 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.