VEA vs VT
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF vs Vanguard Total World Stock ETF
Which is better, VEA or VT?
Nearly the same fund. VEA costs less.
VEA has a lower expense ratio. VEA led over 1Y, VT over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $230.3B | $97.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 3,886 | 10,133 |
| YTD Return | +13.73%Best | +12.24% |
| 1Y Return | +21.98%Best | +17.11% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.84% | +20.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.22% | +11.20%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 16.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.7% | -50.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,267 | $17,003Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 20, 2007 | Jun 24, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 18, 2026 (18.2 years).
VEA vs VT 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
VEA vs VT Performance
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VEA returned +21.98% while VT returned +17.11%. Year to date, VEA is up 13.73% versus a gain of 12.24% for VT.
Over three years, VEA compounded at +19.84% per year against +20.23% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +10.22% and +11.20% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VT has the edge at +7.22% annualized vs +3.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 16.6% for VT. 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 -54.7% for VEA and -50.6% for VT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. 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 VT 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 1.55% for VT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,754 holdings in VEA and 9,272 in VT, totalling 94.2% and 90.1% 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, 3,033 positions appear in both.
3,033 positions in common, counted across the 3,754 positions we hold weights for in VEA and 9,272 in VT, against full books of 3,886 and 10,133.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VEA | Weight in VT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 2.48% | 0.69% | 1.79% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 1.96% | 0.55% | 1.41% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.13% | 0.31% | 0.82% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag - Common | 0.90% | 0.25% | 0.65% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.90% | 0.25% | 0.65% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.79% | 0.22% | 0.57% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.79% | 0.22% | 0.57% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.79% | 0.22% | 0.57% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 0.75% | 0.21% | 0.54% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 0.74% | 0.21% | 0.53% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VEA and VT 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, VEA or VT?
VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VT charges 0.06%. VEA is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VEA or VT?
Over the past year VEA returned +21.98% vs +17.11% for VT, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VEA annualized +3.84% vs +7.22% for VT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VEA or VT?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 16.6% for VT. Worst drawdown: VEA -54.7% vs VT -50.6%.
Should I hold both VEA and VT?
VEA and VT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, VEA or VT?
VEA yields 2.49% while VT yields 1.55%, so VEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VT better than VEA?
VEA has a lower expense ratio. VEA led over 1Y, VT over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.