LDEM vs VXUS
iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, LDEM or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | LDEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.87% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 461 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.32% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.92% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.71% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.60% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.8% | -34.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,369 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 5, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 12, 2020 to Sep 16, 2026 (6.6 years).
LDEM 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 6.6 years both funds cover.
LDEM vs VXUS Performance
iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LDEM returned +4.92% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, LDEM is up 2.32% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, LDEM compounded at +14.71% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.60% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs +4.58%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LDEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 16.3% 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 -40.8% for LDEM and -34.2% 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LDEM charges 0.16% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $5 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LDEM currently yields 2.87% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 47.8% of LDEM'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
253 positions in common, counted across the 417 positions we hold weights for in LDEM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 461 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LDEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 2.37% | 0.21% | 2.16% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 1.60% | 0.21% | 1.39% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 1.45% | 0.14% | 1.31% |
| 601398:SHIndustrial & Commercial Bank Of China Ltd | 1.30% | 0.17% | 1.13% |
| 2222:SASaudi Arabian Oil | 0.87% | 0.09% | 0.78% |
| ITUB4:BVItau Unibanco Banco Holding Sa | 0.86% | 0.10% | 0.76% |
| GFI:ZAGold Fields Ltd Common Stock Zar.5 | 0.85% | 0.06% | 0.79% |
| NPN:ZANaspers Ltd-N Shs Sedol Bn0Vx82 | 0.74% | 0.09% | 0.65% |
| 2891:TWCtbc Financial Holding Co Ltd Ord Twd10 | 0.71% | 0.08% | 0.63% |
| 055550:KRShinhan Financial Group Co Ltd | 0.69% | 0.07% | 0.62% |
47.8% of LDEM 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, LDEM or VXUS?
LDEM has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LDEM or VXUS?
Over the past year LDEM returned +4.92% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), LDEM annualized +4.58% vs +9.39% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LDEM or VXUS?
LDEM has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 16.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: LDEM -40.8% vs VXUS -34.2%.
Should I hold both LDEM and VXUS?
LDEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 LDEM and VXUS?
At least 47.8% of LDEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 253 positions in common, counted across the 417 positions we hold weights for in LDEM and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, LDEM or VXUS?
LDEM yields 2.87% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so LDEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than LDEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.