FDEM vs VXUS
Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FDEM or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDEM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | FDEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $581M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 239 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.97%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +28.82%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.84%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.68%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,872Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.5 years).
FDEM 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 7.5 years both funds cover.
FDEM vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF (FDEM) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDEM returned +28.82% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FDEM is up 16.97% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, FDEM compounded at +20.84% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.68% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.82% annualized vs +8.59%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 15.6% for FDEM. 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 -33.6% for FDEM and -35.1% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDEM charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDEM currently yields 3.00% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 62.5% of FDEM'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.
157 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in FDEM and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 239 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc | 6.40% | 2.17% | 4.23% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 1.59% | 0.44% | 1.15% |
| FUNO11:MXFibra Uno Administracion Sa De Cv | 1.59% | 0.01% | 1.58% |
| EMAARDEV:AEEmaar Development Pjsc | 1.45% | 0.01% | 1.44% |
| 271560:KROrion Corp (Spin Co) | 1.45% | 0.00% | 1.45% |
| 1209:HKChina Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd | 1.43% | 0.01% | 1.42% |
| BRITANNIA:MBBritannia Industries Ltd | 1.21% | 0.01% | 1.20% |
| PETR4:BVPetrobras - Petroleo Bras-Pr | 1.09% | 0.07% | 1.02% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.89% | 0.27% | 0.62% |
| 900948:SHInner Mongolia Yitai Coal Co Ltd | 1.07% | 0.01% | 1.06% |
62.5% of FDEM 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, FDEM or VXUS?
FDEM has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDEM or VXUS?
Over the past year FDEM returned +28.82% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so FDEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FDEM annualized +8.59% vs +9.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDEM or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.6% for FDEM. Worst drawdown: FDEM -33.6% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both FDEM and VXUS?
FDEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 FDEM and VXUS?
At least 62.5% of FDEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 157 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in FDEM and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDEM or VXUS?
FDEM yields 3.00% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so FDEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FDEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDEM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.