VGK vs VXF
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, VGK or VXF?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VXF has a lower expense ratio. VGK led over 5Y, VXF over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 18.4%.
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 | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $31.0B | $31.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.81% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 1,250 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +4.29% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.02% | +12.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.96% | +20.69%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.13%Best | +6.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5%Best | 19.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -67.3% | -59.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,478Best | $13,759 |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.4% | 6.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 4, 2005 | Dec 27, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 2005 to Oct 2, 2026 (21.6 years).
VGK vs VXF 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 21.6 years both funds cover.
VGK vs VXF Performance
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGK returned +10.02% while VXF returned +12.54%. Year to date, VGK is up 4.29% versus a gain of 12.08% for VXF.
Over three years, VGK compounded at +18.96% per year against +20.69% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +9.13% and +6.59% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VXF has the edge at +8.85% annualized vs +3.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 18.5% for VGK. 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 -59.4% for VXF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGK charges 0.06% per year while VXF 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 2.81% against 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
1.2% of VGK's money is in holdings VXF also owns. 0.9% of VXF's money is in holdings VGK also owns.
VGK and VXF share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 3,278 in VXF, against full books of 1,250 and 3,385.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,716 positions for VXF that do not appear in our book for VGK (91.7% of the fund), and 6 for VGK that do not appear in VXF (2.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VGK | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.71% | 0.00% | 0.71% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.18% | 0.35% | 0.17% |
| AMRZ:SMAmrize Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.15% | 0.30% | 0.15% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.10% | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.03% | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| CCCSCcc Intelligent Solutions Hold | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| CASHMeta Financial Group Inc | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| MDVModiv Inc | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGK and VXF 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 VXF?
VGK has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VXF charges 0.05%. VXF is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGK or VXF?
Over the past year VGK returned +10.02% vs +12.54% for VXF, so VXF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), VGK annualized +3.36% vs +8.85% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGK or VXF?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 18.5% for VGK. Worst drawdown: VGK -67.3% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both VGK and VXF?
VGK and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 VGK and VXF?
1.2% of VGK's money is in holdings VXF also owns. 0.9% of VXF's is in holdings VGK also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 3,278 in VXF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGK or VXF?
VGK yields 2.81% while VXF yields 1.01%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than VGK?
VXF has a lower expense ratio. VGK led over 5Y, VXF over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 18.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.