EXG vs VXUS
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EXG or VXUS?
Multi Alternative 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 | EXG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.40% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 115 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.46% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.37% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.95% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.72% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,504 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2007 | 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).
EXG 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.
EXG vs VXUS Performance
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund (EXG) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EXG returned +21.37% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, EXG is up 11.46% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, EXG compounded at +18.95% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.72% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +2.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EXG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% 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 EXG 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EXG charges 1.07% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $5 annually, a gap of $102 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EXG currently yields 7.40% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 35.0% of EXG'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 123 days apart, EXG as of Feb 27, 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.
35 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in EXG and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 115 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EXG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 2.70% | 1.70% | 1.00% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 2.13% | 0.62% | 1.51% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.72% | 0.59% | 1.13% |
| SOGN:PASociete Generale S.A. | 2.04% | 0.13% | 1.91% |
| CPG:LNCompass Group Plc | 1.98% | 0.12% | 1.86% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd | 1.54% | 0.47% | 1.07% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 1.43% | 0.45% | 0.98% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 1.45% | 0.30% | 1.15% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola Sa | 1.33% | 0.37% | 0.96% |
| LVMH:PALvmh Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Se | 1.28% | 0.30% | 0.98% |
35.0% of EXG 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, EXG or VXUS?
EXG has an expense ratio of 1.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $102 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EXG or VXUS?
Over the past year EXG returned +21.37% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EXG annualized +2.80% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EXG or VXUS?
EXG has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EXG -55.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EXG and VXUS?
EXG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 EXG and VXUS?
At least 35.0% of EXG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in EXG and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EXG or VXUS?
EXG yields 7.40% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so EXG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EXG?
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.