EWUS vs VXUS
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWUS or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWUS 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 | EWUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $43M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.97% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 206 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +5.17% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.44% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.85% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.86% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.8% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,437 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2012 to Sep 17, 2026 (14.6 years).
EWUS 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
EWUS vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) 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 EWUS returned +10.44% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, EWUS is up 5.17% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWUS compounded at +14.85% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.86% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, EWUS has the edge at +6.54% annualized vs +5.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.8% compared with 14.4% 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 -49.3% for EWUS 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWUS charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWUS currently yields 2.97% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.5% of EWUS'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 EWUS is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
118 positions in common, counted across the 194 positions we hold weights for in EWUS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 206 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWUS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMI:LNImi Plc | 2.07% | 0.02% | 2.05% |
| WEIR:LNWeir Group Plc/the | 2.06% | 0.02% | 2.04% |
| BEZ:LNBeazley Plc | 2.01% | 0.02% | 1.99% |
| STJ:LNSt James'S Place Plc | 1.71% | 0.02% | 1.69% |
| GAW:LNGames Workshop Group Plc | 1.69% | 0.02% | 1.67% |
| HSX:BMHiscox Ltd | 1.65% | 0.02% | 1.63% |
| ICGIN:LNIcg Plc | 1.46% | 0.02% | 1.44% |
| BGEO:LNBank Of Georgia Group Plc | 1.33% | 0.01% | 1.32% |
| ABDN:LNAbrdn Plc | 1.29% | 0.01% | 1.28% |
| IGG:LNIg Group Holdings Plc | 1.26% | 0.01% | 1.25% |
72.5% of EWUS 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, EWUS or VXUS?
EWUS has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWUS or VXUS?
Over the past year EWUS returned +10.44% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EWUS annualized +6.54% vs +5.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWUS or VXUS?
EWUS has been the more volatile fund at 32.8% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWUS -49.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWUS and VXUS?
EWUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 EWUS and VXUS?
At least 72.5% of EWUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 118 positions in common, counted across the 194 positions we hold weights for in EWUS and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWUS or VXUS?
EWUS yields 2.97% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EWUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EWUS 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.