FFEM vs VXUS
Fidelity Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FFEM or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FFEM led over 1Y 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 | FFEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 125 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +25.07%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +47.60%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.3% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $17,651Best | $15,457 |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 21, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.8 years).
FFEM 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
FFEM vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF (FFEM) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FFEM returned +47.60% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, FFEM is up 25.07% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 11.5% 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 -16.3% for FFEM and -13.6% 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
FFEM charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFEM currently yields 1.26% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 48.6% of FFEM'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.
71 positions in common, counted across the 106 positions we hold weights for in FFEM and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 125 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FFEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc | 9.02% | 2.17% | 6.85% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 2.52% | 0.44% | 2.08% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding, Ltd. | 1.66% | 0.49% | 1.17% |
| 300750:SHContemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. Class A | 2.10% | 0.04% | 2.06% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 1.50% | 0.27% | 1.23% |
| 1120:SAAl Rajhi Bank | 1.30% | 0.11% | 1.19% |
| LT:MBLarsen & Toubro Ltd | 1.30% | 0.07% | 1.23% |
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 1.27% | 0.00% | 1.27% |
| OTPB:HUOtp Bank Nyrt | 1.02% | 0.07% | 0.95% |
| NBG.R:GRNational Bank of Greece Sa | 0.97% | 0.03% | 0.94% |
48.6% of FFEM 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, FFEM or VXUS?
FFEM has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FFEM or VXUS?
Over the past year FFEM returned +47.60% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so FFEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FFEM annualized +37.12% vs +27.37% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FFEM or VXUS?
FFEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 11.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FFEM -16.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both FFEM and VXUS?
FFEM 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 FFEM and VXUS?
At least 48.6% of FFEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 71 positions in common, counted across the 106 positions we hold weights for in FFEM and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FFEM or VXUS?
FFEM yields 1.26% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FFEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FFEM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.