FMDE vs VXUS
Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap Core ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FMDE or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FMDE led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | FMDE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.23% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7.8B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 430 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.79% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.10% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2% | 11.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.1% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $17,017Best | $16,990 |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 20, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.8 years).
FMDE 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
FMDE vs VXUS Performance
Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap Core ETF (FMDE) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FMDE returned +15.10% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, FMDE is up 13.79% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FMDE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 11.0% 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 -21.1% for FMDE 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMDE charges 0.23% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $23 vs $5 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMDE currently yields 1.04% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.8% of FMDE'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.
FMDE and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 59 days apart, FMDE as of Aug 28, 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.
7 positions in common, counted across the 480 positions we hold weights for in FMDE and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 430 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FMDE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 0.45% | 0.08% | 0.37% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.41% | 0.00% | 0.41% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corp | 0.34% | 0.01% | 0.33% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.25% | 0.04% | 0.21% |
| JHX:AUJames Hardie Industries Plc Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.12% | 0.03% | 0.09% |
| BILLBill.Com Holdings, Inc. Common Stock | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.11% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.07% | 0.01% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMDE and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FMDE or VXUS?
FMDE has an expense ratio of 0.23% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FMDE or VXUS?
Over the past year FMDE returned +15.10% vs +22.28% 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, FMDE or VXUS?
FMDE has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 11.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FMDE -21.1% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both FMDE and VXUS?
FMDE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 FMDE and VXUS?
At least 1.8% of FMDE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 480 positions we hold weights for in FMDE and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FMDE or VXUS?
FMDE yields 1.04% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FMDE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FMDE led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.