QEMM vs VXUS
State Street SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QEMM or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QEMM led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | QEMM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.30% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 870 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +24.21%Best | +14.83% |
| 1Y Return | +33.23%Best | +24.27% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.79% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.16% | +9.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,802 | $15,436Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2014 to Sep 9, 2026 (12.3 years).
QEMM 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 12.3 years both funds cover.
QEMM vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF (QEMM) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QEMM returned +33.23% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, QEMM is up 24.21% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, QEMM compounded at +19.79% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.16% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.37% annualized vs +4.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.4% for QEMM. 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 -40.5% for QEMM 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QEMM charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QEMM currently yields 4.30% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 60.3% of QEMM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
546 positions in common, counted across the 805 positions we hold weights for in QEMM and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 870 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QEMM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc. | 3.20% | 0.44% | 2.76% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 2.31% | 0.27% | 2.04% |
| 2345:TWAccton Technology Corp | 1.19% | 0.09% | 1.10% |
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co L | 0.93% | 0.18% | 0.75% |
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 1.02% | 0.08% | 0.94% |
| 2222:SASaudi Arabian Oil Co | 1.05% | 0.00% | 1.05% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Ltd | 0.92% | 0.11% | 0.81% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.53% | 0.49% | 0.04% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 0.84% | 0.13% | 0.71% |
| 9999:KYNetease, Inc. | 0.82% | 0.10% | 0.72% |
60.3% of QEMM 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, QEMM or VXUS?
QEMM has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QEMM or VXUS?
Over the past year QEMM returned +33.23% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so QEMM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), QEMM annualized +4.49% vs +5.37% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QEMM or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.4% for QEMM. Worst drawdown: QEMM -40.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both QEMM and VXUS?
QEMM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QEMM and VXUS?
At least 60.3% of QEMM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 546 positions in common, counted across the 805 positions we hold weights for in QEMM and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QEMM or VXUS?
QEMM yields 4.30% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so QEMM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QEMM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QEMM led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.