VEA vs VGK
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF
Which is better, VEA or VGK?
Nearly the same fund. VEA costs less.
VEA has a lower expense ratio. VEA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | VEA | VGK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $230.3B | $38.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 2.81% |
| Holdings | 3,886 | 1,240 |
| YTD Return | +13.73%Best | +6.23% |
| 1Y Return | +21.98%Best | +14.06% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.84%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.22%Best | +9.32% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7%Best | 19.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.9%Best | -67.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,267Best | $15,613 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 20, 2007 | Mar 4, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.1 years).
VEA vs VGK 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 19.1 years both funds cover.
VEA vs VGK Performance
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VEA returned +21.98% while VGK returned +14.06%. Year to date, VEA is up 13.73% versus a gain of 6.23% for VGK.
Over three years, VEA compounded at +19.84% per year against +17.50% for VGK; over five years the annualized figures are +10.22% and +9.32% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VEA has the edge at +3.00% annualized vs +1.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 17.7% for VEA. 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 -62.9% for VEA and -67.3% for VGK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VEA charges 0.03% per year while VGK charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VEA currently yields 2.49% against 2.81% for VGK.
Holdings Overlap
At least 82.1% of VGK's money is in holdings VEA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VEA, our book for it covers 94.2% 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 VGK is already inside VEA. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
952 positions in common, counted across the 3,754 positions we hold weights for in VEA and 1,101 in VGK, against full books of 3,886 and 1,240.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VEA | Weight in VGK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 1.96% | 3.91% | 1.95% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.13% | 2.25% | 1.12% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.95% | 1.89% | 0.94% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.90% | 1.79% | 0.89% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.79% | 1.58% | 0.79% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.79% | 1.57% | 0.78% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.79% | 1.44% | 0.65% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 0.74% | 1.48% | 0.74% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 0.64% | 1.27% | 0.63% |
| FP:PATotal Se | 0.52% | 1.04% | 0.52% |
82.1% of VGK is already inside VEA.
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, VEA or VGK?
VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGK charges 0.06%. VEA is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VEA or VGK?
Over the past year VEA returned +21.98% vs +14.06% for VGK, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), VEA annualized +3.00% vs +1.87% for VGK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VEA or VGK?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 17.7% for VEA. Worst drawdown: VEA -62.9% vs VGK -67.3%.
Should I hold both VEA and VGK?
VEA and VGK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 VEA and VGK?
At least 82.1% of VGK's money is in holdings VEA also owns. Our book for VEA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 952 positions in common, counted across the 3,754 positions we hold weights for in VEA and 1,101 in VGK.
Which pays a higher dividend, VEA or VGK?
VEA yields 2.49% while VGK yields 2.81%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGK better than VEA?
VEA has a lower expense ratio. VEA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.