EWZS vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWZS or VXUS?
Small Cap Growth 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 | EWZS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $221M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 81 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +3.83% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.15% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +1.95% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.30% | +8.91%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -81.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,367 | $15,323Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2010 | 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 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
EWZS 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.
EWZS vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (EWZS) 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 EWZS returned +1.15% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, EWZS is up 3.83% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWZS compounded at +1.95% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.30% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs -3.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWZS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.7% 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 -81.7% for EWZS 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWZS 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, EWZS currently yields 4.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 77.6% of EWZS'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.
Most of EWZS is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
56 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in EWZS and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 81 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWZS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSMG3:BVCia De Saneamento De Minas Gerais-copasa | 5.32% | 0.01% | 5.31% |
| LREN3:BVLojas Renner Sa Common Stock Brl 0 | 4.53% | 0.01% | 4.52% |
| ASAI3:BVSendas Distribuidora S/A | 4.03% | 0.00% | 4.03% |
| ALOS3:BVAllos S.A. | 3.63% | 0.00% | 3.63% |
| GOAU4:BVMetalurgica Gerdau Sa Preference Shares Class A | 3.26% | 0.00% | 3.26% |
| MULT3:BVMultiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios Sa | 3.23% | 0.00% | 3.23% |
| SMFT3:BVSmartfit Escola De Ginastica E Danca Sa | 2.70% | 0.00% | 2.70% |
| TAEE11:BVTransmissora Alianca De Energia Eletrica Sa | 2.53% | 0.00% | 2.53% |
| NATU3:BVNatura Cosmeticos Sa | 2.50% | 0.00% | 2.50% |
| CSAN3:BVCosan Sa Industria E Comercio | 2.36% | 0.00% | 2.36% |
77.6% of EWZS 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, EWZS or VXUS?
EWZS 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, EWZS or VXUS?
Over the past year EWZS returned +1.15% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWZS annualized -3.38% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWZS or VXUS?
EWZS has been the more volatile fund at 33.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWZS -81.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWZS and VXUS?
EWZS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 EWZS and VXUS?
At least 77.6% of EWZS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 56 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in EWZS and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWZS or VXUS?
EWZS yields 4.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EWZS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWZS?
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.