EWX vs VXUS
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWX or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | EWX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $704M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.73% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 3,452 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.49% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.56% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.98% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.52% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,714 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 12, 2008 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
EWX 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.
EWX vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EWX returned +15.56% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, EWX is up 12.49% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWX compounded at +12.98% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.52% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +2.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% 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 -47.0% for EWX 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWX charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWX currently yields 2.73% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 58.0% of EWX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% 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 91 days apart, EWX as of Mar 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.
1,506 positions in common, counted across the 3,275 positions we hold weights for in EWX and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 3,452 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6515:TWWinway Technology Co., Ltd. | 0.62% | 0.01% | 0.61% |
| 3081:TWLandmark Optoelectronics Corp | 0.39% | 0.01% | 0.38% |
| 3189:TWKinsus Interconnect Technology Corp | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| PAFR:LNPan African Resources Plc | 0.31% | 0.01% | 0.30% |
| 3260:TTA-data Technology Co Ltd | 0.30% | 0.01% | 0.29% |
| NA:CANational Bank Of Canada | 0.15% | 0.14% | 0.01% |
| 3491:TWUniversal Microwave Technology Inc | 0.26% | 0.01% | 0.25% |
| 3330:HKLingbao Gold Group Co Ltd | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.25% |
| RDF:ZARedefine Properties, Ltd. | 0.23% | 0.01% | 0.22% |
| WBC:ZAWe Buy Cars Pty Ltd | 0.06% | 0.18% | 0.12% |
58.0% of EWX 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, EWX or VXUS?
EWX has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWX or VXUS?
Over the past year EWX returned +15.56% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWX annualized +2.95% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWX or VXUS?
EWX has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWX -47.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWX and VXUS?
EWX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 EWX and VXUS?
At least 58.0% of EWX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,506 positions in common, counted across the 3,275 positions we hold weights for in EWX and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWX or VXUS?
EWX yields 2.73% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so EWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.