UAE vs VXUS
iShares MSCI UAE ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, UAE or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. UAE led over 5Y, VXUS 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 | UAE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $306M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.43% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 62 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.87% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.98% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.11% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.58%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,800Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 29, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (12.3 years).
UAE 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.
UAE vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UAE returned +5.98% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, UAE is up 4.87% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, UAE compounded at +14.11% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.58% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.66% annualized vs -0.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UAE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 14.7% 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 -68.3% for UAE 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UAE charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UAE currently yields 4.43% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 84.4% of UAE'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.
Most of UAE is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
34 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in UAE and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 62 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UAE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAB:AEFirst Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC | 13.45% | 0.05% | 13.40% |
| EMAAR:AEEmaar Properties Pjsc | 11.34% | 0.04% | 11.30% |
| EAND:AEEmirates Telecommunications Group Co PJSC | 11.03% | 0.04% | 10.99% |
| EMIRATESNBD:AEEmirates Nbd Pjsc Shs | 9.06% | 0.03% | 9.03% |
| ADIB:AEAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank Pjsc | 4.87% | 0.02% | 4.85% |
| ADCB:AEAbu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC | 4.77% | 0.03% | 4.74% |
| ALDAR:AEAldar Properties Pjsc | 4.06% | 0.02% | 4.04% |
| ADNOCGAS:AEAdnoc Gas Plc | 3.40% | 0.01% | 3.39% |
| ADNOCDRILL:AEAdnoc Drilling Company Aed0.1 | 2.76% | 0.01% | 2.75% |
| ADNOCDIST:AEAbu Dhabi National Oil Co For Distribution Pjsc | 2.09% | 0.01% | 2.08% |
84.4% of UAE 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, UAE or VXUS?
UAE has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UAE or VXUS?
Over the past year UAE returned +5.98% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), UAE annualized -0.33% vs +5.66% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UAE or VXUS?
UAE has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: UAE -68.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both UAE and VXUS?
UAE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 UAE and VXUS?
At least 84.4% of UAE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 34 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in UAE and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, UAE or VXUS?
UAE yields 4.43% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so UAE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than UAE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. UAE led over 5Y, VXUS 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.