VGK vs VXUS
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VGK or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VGK led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. 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 | VGK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $38.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.81% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,240 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.23% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.06% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.50% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.32% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,613 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 4, 2005 | 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
VGK 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.
VGK vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGK returned +14.06% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, VGK is up 6.23% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, VGK compounded at +17.50% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.32% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VGK has the edge at +4.88% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% 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 -41.6% for VGK 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGK charges 0.06% per year while VXUS 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 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 81.7% of VGK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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 VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
965 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,240 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VGK | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 3.91% | 1.42% | 2.49% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 2.25% | 0.82% | 1.43% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 1.89% | 0.69% | 1.20% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.79% | 0.65% | 1.14% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.58% | 0.58% | 1.00% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.57% | 0.57% | 1.00% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 1.48% | 0.54% | 0.94% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.44% | 0.57% | 0.87% |
| FP:PATotal Se | 1.04% | 0.38% | 0.66% |
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC Ord Gbp0.20 | 1.03% | 0.38% | 0.65% |
81.7% of VGK is already inside VXUS.
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, VGK or VXUS?
VGK has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGK or VXUS?
Over the past year VGK returned +14.06% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VGK annualized +4.88% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGK or VXUS?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VGK -41.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VGK and VXUS?
VGK and VXUS 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.
What is the holdings overlap between VGK and VXUS?
At least 81.7% of VGK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 965 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGK or VXUS?
VGK yields 2.81% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VGK?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VGK led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. 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.