MEM vs VXUS
Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MEM or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MEM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | MEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $55M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.89% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 72 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +18.10%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +24.74%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.58%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.1% | -16.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $19,799Best | $19,616 |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.2 years).
MEM 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 4.2 years both funds cover.
MEM vs VXUS Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MEM returned +24.74% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, MEM is up 18.10% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, MEM compounded at +21.58% per year against +19.33% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, MEM has the edge at +17.66% annualized vs +17.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 14.9% 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 -19.1% for MEM and -16.2% 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
MEM charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MEM currently yields 2.89% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 41.0% of MEM'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.
36 positions in common, counted across the 65 positions we hold weights for in MEM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 72 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc | 3.78% | 1.41% | 2.37% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 3.31% | 0.62% | 2.69% |
| ANTO:LNAntofagasta Plc | 2.70% | 0.04% | 2.66% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 1.99% | 0.35% | 1.64% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 2.15% | 0.14% | 2.01% |
| 071050:KRKorea Investment Holdings Co., Ltd. | 2.12% | 0.01% | 2.11% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 1.90% | 0.09% | 1.81% |
| 300750:SHContemporary Amperex Technology Con Ltd. | 1.67% | 0.04% | 1.63% |
| 2891:TWCtbc Financial Holding Co Ltd Ord Twd10 | 1.35% | 0.08% | 1.27% |
| 086790:KRHana Financial Group Inc | 1.22% | 0.05% | 1.17% |
41.0% of MEM 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, MEM or VXUS?
MEM has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MEM or VXUS?
Over the past year MEM returned +24.74% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so MEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MEM annualized +17.66% vs +17.40% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MEM or VXUS?
MEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MEM -19.1% vs VXUS -16.2%.
Should I hold both MEM and VXUS?
MEM 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 MEM and VXUS?
At least 41.0% of MEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 65 positions we hold weights for in MEM and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, MEM or VXUS?
MEM yields 2.89% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so MEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MEM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.