GMF vs VXUS
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GMF or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GMF led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | GMF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $436M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.18% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,290 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.72% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.25% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.06% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.39% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,630 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 19, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
GMF 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
GMF vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF (GMF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GMF returned +13.25% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, GMF is up 9.72% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, GMF compounded at +18.06% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.39% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, GMF has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GMF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 15.0% 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 -40.2% for GMF and -39.9% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GMF charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GMF currently yields 1.18% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,126 holdings in GMF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 78.2% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 674 positions appear in both.
674 positions in common, counted across the 1,126 positions we hold weights for in GMF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,290 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GMF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 2.07% | 0.35% | 1.72% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co | 1.22% | 0.21% | 1.01% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 1.17% | 0.21% | 0.96% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 0.68% | 0.09% | 0.59% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc. | 0.60% | 0.15% | 0.45% |
| 2891:TWCtbc Financial Holding Co Ltd Ord Twd10 | 0.59% | 0.08% | 0.51% |
| 3690:SHMeituan Dianping | 0.51% | 0.15% | 0.36% |
| 3037:TWUnimicron Technology Corp | 0.56% | 0.07% | 0.49% |
| 2885:TWYuanta Financial Holding Co Ltd | 0.57% | 0.05% | 0.52% |
| 3017:TWAsia Vital Components Co Ltd | 0.56% | 0.05% | 0.51% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GMF 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, GMF or VXUS?
GMF has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GMF or VXUS?
Over the past year GMF returned +13.25% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), GMF annualized +4.93% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GMF or VXUS?
GMF has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GMF -40.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GMF and VXUS?
GMF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GMF or VXUS?
GMF yields 1.18% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GMF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GMF led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.