VGK vs VOE
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Value ETF
Which is better, VGK or VOE?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Value.
VOE has a lower expense ratio. VGK led over 3Y, VOE over 1Y, 5Y 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 | VGK | VOE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $30.5B | $23.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.82% | 1.81% |
| Holdings | 1,240 | 176 |
| YTD Return | +10.48% | +17.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.93% | +23.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.93%Best | +17.80% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.11% | +10.04%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 17.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.3% | -63.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,464 | $16,134Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 4, 2005 | Aug 17, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (20 years).
VGK vs VOE 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 20 years both funds cover.
VGK vs VOE Performance
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGK returned +20.93% while VOE returned +23.25%. Year to date, VGK is up 10.48% versus a gain of 17.59% for VOE.
Over three years, VGK compounded at +18.93% per year against +17.80% for VOE; over five years the annualized figures are +9.11% and +10.04% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VOE has the edge at +7.95% annualized vs +2.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 17.5% for VOE. 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 -67.3% for VGK and -63.4% for VOE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGK charges 0.06% per year while VOE charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VGK currently yields 2.82% against 1.81% for VOE.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.9% of VOE's money is in holdings VGK also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VGK, our book for it covers 94.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,178 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 169 in VOE, against full books of 1,240 and 176.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGK and VOE 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, VGK or VOE?
VGK has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VOE charges 0.05%. VOE is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGK or VOE?
Over the past year VGK returned +20.93% vs +23.25% for VOE, so VOE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VGK annualized +2.94% vs +7.95% for VOE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGK or VOE?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 17.5% for VOE. Worst drawdown: VGK -67.3% vs VOE -63.4%.
Should I hold both VGK and VOE?
VGK and VOE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGK or VOE?
VGK yields 2.82% while VOE yields 1.81%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOE better than VGK?
VOE has a lower expense ratio. VGK led over 3Y, VOE over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.