MEMS vs VXUS
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MEMS or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | MEMS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $22M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.31% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 88 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +18.97%Best | +13.44% |
| 1Y Return | +18.02% | +21.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 11.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.2% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $12,714 | $16,206Best |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 10, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 11, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026 (2.7 years).
MEMS 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
MEMS vs VXUS Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF (MEMS) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MEMS returned +18.02% while VXUS returned +21.98%. Year to date, MEMS is up 18.97% versus a gain of 13.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 11.1% 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 -21.2% for MEMS 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MEMS charges 0.89% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $5 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MEMS currently yields 2.31% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 63.8% of MEMS'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.
52 positions in common, counted across the 83 positions we hold weights for in MEMS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 88 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MEMS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARTRADE:MBCartrade Tech Ltd. | 2.97% | 0.00% | 2.97% |
| 145020:KRHugel Inc | 2.85% | 0.00% | 2.85% |
| 5274:TWAspeed Technology Inc | 2.74% | 0.03% | 2.71% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 2.29% | 0.09% | 2.20% |
| BANDHANBNK:MBBandhan Bank, Ltd. | 2.23% | 0.00% | 2.23% |
| 267250:KRHd Hyundai Heavy Industri | 2.22% | 0.01% | 2.21% |
| ASTOR:TRAstor Transformator Enerji T | 2.14% | 0.01% | 2.13% |
| 084370:KREugene Technology Ltd | 1.99% | 0.00% | 1.99% |
| 5904:TWPoya International Co Ltd | 1.98% | 0.00% | 1.98% |
| 3324:TWAuras Technology Co Ltd | 1.81% | 0.00% | 1.81% |
63.8% of MEMS 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, MEMS or VXUS?
MEMS has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MEMS or VXUS?
Over the past year MEMS returned +18.02% vs +21.98% 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, MEMS or VXUS?
MEMS has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 11.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MEMS -21.2% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both MEMS and VXUS?
MEMS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 MEMS and VXUS?
At least 63.8% of MEMS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 52 positions in common, counted across the 83 positions we hold weights for in MEMS and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, MEMS or VXUS?
MEMS yields 2.31% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MEMS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.