NORW vs VXUS
Global X MSCI Norway ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NORW or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NORW led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 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 | NORW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $95M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.21% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 64 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +31.34%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +38.79%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.68%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.93% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,646 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 9, 2010 | 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 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
NORW 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.
NORW vs VXUS Performance
Global X MSCI Norway ETF (NORW) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NORW returned +38.79% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, NORW is up 31.34% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, NORW compounded at +22.68% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.93% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, NORW has the edge at +5.75% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NORW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% 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 -42.6% for NORW 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NORW charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NORW currently yields 7.21% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.2% of NORW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of NORW is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
37 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in NORW and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 64 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NORW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQNR:OSEqnr No Equinor Asa | 12.23% | 0.05% | 12.18% |
| DNB:OSDnb Bank | 11.66% | 0.05% | 11.61% |
| KOG:OSKongsberg Gruppen ASA Kongsberg Gruppen Asa | 6.00% | 0.03% | 5.97% |
| NHY:OSNorsk Hydro Asa Common | 5.37% | 0.03% | 5.34% |
| MOWI:OSMowi Asa | 4.08% | 0.02% | 4.06% |
| STB:OSStorebrand Asa | 3.80% | 0.02% | 3.78% |
| ORK:OSOrkla Asa | 3.56% | 0.02% | 3.54% |
| YAR:OSYara International ASA Shs | 3.15% | 0.02% | 3.13% |
| SB1NO:OSSparebank 1 Sor-Norge Asa | 2.06% | 0.01% | 2.05% |
| VAR:OSVar Energi | 2.05% | 0.01% | 2.04% |
73.2% of NORW 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, NORW or VXUS?
NORW has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NORW or VXUS?
Over the past year NORW returned +38.79% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so NORW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NORW annualized +5.75% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NORW or VXUS?
NORW has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: NORW -42.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NORW and VXUS?
NORW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 NORW and VXUS?
At least 73.2% of NORW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in NORW and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, NORW or VXUS?
NORW yields 7.21% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so NORW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NORW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NORW led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.