VEA vs VXUS
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VEA or VXUS?
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 0.99.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $230.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3,886 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.54%Best | +12.21% |
| 1Y Return | +21.73%Best | +19.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.80%Best | +19.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.47%Best | +8.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Tie | -39.9%Tie |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,721Best | $15,127 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 20, 2007 | 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 16, 2026 (15.6 years).
VEA 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.
VEA vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VEA returned +21.73% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, VEA is up 13.54% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, VEA compounded at +19.80% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.47% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VEA has the edge at +5.48% annualized vs +4.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% 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 -39.9% for VEA 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 0.99. 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 VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VEA currently yields 2.49% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,754 holdings in VEA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 94.2% and 88.8% 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, 3,395 positions appear in both.
3,395 positions in common, counted across the 3,754 positions we hold weights for in VEA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 3,886 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VEA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 2.48% | 1.80% | 0.68% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 1.96% | 1.42% | 0.54% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 1.94% | 1.41% | 0.53% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.13% | 0.82% | 0.31% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.95% | 0.69% | 0.26% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.90% | 0.66% | 0.24% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag - Common | 0.90% | 0.65% | 0.25% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.79% | 0.58% | 0.21% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.79% | 0.57% | 0.22% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.79% | 0.57% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VEA and VXUS 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 VXUS?
VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VEA is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VEA or VXUS?
Over the past year VEA returned +21.73% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VEA annualized +5.48% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VEA or VXUS?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VEA -39.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VEA and VXUS?
VEA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 VXUS?
VEA yields 2.49% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS 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 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.