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 | 2.52% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 88 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +22.11%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +21.88% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.2% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $12,992 | $16,454Best |
| 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 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 11, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (2.6 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 2.6 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 +21.88% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, MEMS is up 22.11% versus a gain of 16.15% 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 16.3% compared with 10.9% 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 -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 2.52% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 80 holdings in MEMS and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 89.3% and 87.5% 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, 51 positions appear in both.
51 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in MEMS and 8,092 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. | 3.20% | 0.00% | 3.20% |
| 145020:KRHugel Inc | 2.80% | 0.00% | 2.80% |
| BANDHANBNK:MBBandhan Bank, Ltd. | 2.50% | 0.00% | 2.50% |
| 5274:TWAspeed Technology Inc | 2.20% | 0.04% | 2.16% |
| 267270:KRHD Hyundai Construction Equipment Co. Ltd. | 2.10% | 0.01% | 2.09% |
| ASTOR:TRAstor Transformator Enerji T | 2.10% | 0.01% | 2.09% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 2.00% | 0.11% | 1.89% |
| BHARTIHEXA:MBBharti Hexacom Ltd | 2.00% | 0.00% | 2.00% |
| 5904:TWPoya International Co Ltd | 2.00% | 0.00% | 2.00% |
| PHOE:MBPhoenix Mills Ltd/the | 1.90% | 0.03% | 1.87% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MEMS 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, 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 +21.88% vs +27.58% 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 16.3% annualized versus 10.9% 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, MEMS or VXUS?
MEMS yields 2.52% while VXUS yields 2.59%, 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.