GEW vs VXUS
Cambria Global EW ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GEW or VXUS?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | GEW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $144M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.24% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 453 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.88% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.38% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.3%Best | 14.3% |
| Fund Family | Cambria Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
GEW 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
GEW vs VXUS Performance
Cambria Global EW ETF (GEW) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GEW returned +13.38% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, GEW is up 8.88% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 10.3% for GEW. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GEW charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GEW currently yields 1.24% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.6% of GEW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
GEW and VXUS share little of their money.
120 positions in common, counted across the 444 positions we hold weights for in GEW and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 453 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GEW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.28% | 0.82% | 0.54% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.25% | 0.66% | 0.41% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag - Common | 0.21% | 0.65% | 0.44% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.22% | 0.57% | 0.35% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 0.22% | 0.54% | 0.32% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.18% | 0.58% | 0.40% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 0.12% | 0.62% | 0.50% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.27% | 0.45% | 0.18% |
| CBA:AUCommonwealth Bank Of Australia | 0.19% | 0.47% | 0.28% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 0.33% | 0.32% | 0.01% |
24.6% of GEW 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, GEW or VXUS?
GEW has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GEW or VXUS?
Over the past year GEW returned +13.38% vs +19.86% 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, GEW or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 10.3% for GEW.
Should I hold both GEW and VXUS?
GEW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 GEW and VXUS?
At least 24.6% of GEW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 120 positions in common, counted across the 444 positions we hold weights for in GEW and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GEW or VXUS?
GEW yields 1.24% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GEW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.