FEDM vs VXUS
Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FEDM or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | FEDM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $85M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.87% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 265 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.61% | +15.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.48% | +27.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.55% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.82% | +8.96%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -28.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,260 | $15,358Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2021 to Sep 3, 2026 (5 years).
FEDM 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 5 years both funds cover.
FEDM vs VXUS Performance
Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core ETF (FEDM) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FEDM returned +23.48% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, FEDM is up 13.61% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, FEDM compounded at +17.55% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.82% and +8.96% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FEDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.1% 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 -29.4% for FEDM and -28.9% 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FEDM charges 0.12% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $5 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FEDM currently yields 2.87% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 70.5% of FEDM'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 FEDM is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
152 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in FEDM and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 265 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FEDM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 3.09% | 1.70% | 1.39% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 1.95% | 0.64% | 1.31% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 1.57% | 0.52% | 1.05% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.44% | 0.65% | 0.79% |
| SCHN:PASchneider Electric Se | 1.54% | 0.39% | 1.15% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.20% | 0.62% | 0.58% |
| BBVA:MABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Reg Shs | 1.50% | 0.31% | 1.19% |
| CBA:AUPembina Pipeline Corp Cum Red Pfd Shs -A- Series -9 | 1.32% | 0.42% | 0.90% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 1.37% | 0.33% | 1.04% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.94% | 0.72% | 0.22% |
70.5% of FEDM 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, FEDM or VXUS?
FEDM has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FEDM or VXUS?
Over the past year FEDM returned +23.48% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FEDM or VXUS?
FEDM has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FEDM -29.4% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both FEDM and VXUS?
FEDM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 FEDM and VXUS?
At least 70.5% of FEDM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 152 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in FEDM and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FEDM or VXUS?
FEDM yields 2.87% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so FEDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FEDM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.