VNQI vs VXUS
Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VNQI or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 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 | VNQI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.62% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 743 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.80% | +15.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.82% | +27.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.38% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.68% | +8.96%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,188 | $15,358Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 1, 2010 | 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 3, 2026 (15.6 years).
VNQI 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.
VNQI vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF (VNQI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VNQI returned +1.82% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, VNQI is down 1.80% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, VNQI compounded at +8.38% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.68% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.90% annualized vs +3.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% 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 -38.4% for VNQI 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VNQI charges 0.12% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $5 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VNQI currently yields 4.62% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 87.5% of VNQI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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 VNQI is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
485 positions in common, counted across the 706 positions we hold weights for in VNQI and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 743 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VNQI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMG:AUGoodman Group | 4.22% | 0.10% | 4.12% |
| 8802:JPMitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 2.97% | 0.06% | 2.91% |
| 8801:JPMitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 2.44% | 0.05% | 2.39% |
| 8830:JPSumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 2.08% | 0.03% | 2.05% |
| VNA.N:FFVonovia Se | 2.00% | 0.04% | 1.96% |
| EMAAR:AEEmaar Properties Pjsc | 1.92% | 0.04% | 1.88% |
| 1925:JPDaiwa House Industry Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 1.57% | 0.03% | 1.54% |
| SGRO:LNSegro Plc | 1.50% | 0.04% | 1.46% |
| URW:PAUnibail-rodamco Se & Wfund Unibail-rodamco Nv | 1.36% | 0.03% | 1.33% |
| SCG:AUScentre Group Reit | 1.33% | 0.03% | 1.30% |
87.5% of VNQI 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, VNQI or VXUS?
VNQI has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VNQI or VXUS?
Over the past year VNQI returned +1.82% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VNQI annualized +3.32% vs +4.90% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VNQI or VXUS?
VNQI has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VNQI -38.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VNQI and VXUS?
VNQI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 VNQI and VXUS?
At least 87.5% of VNQI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 485 positions in common, counted across the 706 positions we hold weights for in VNQI and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VNQI or VXUS?
VNQI yields 4.62% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VNQI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VNQI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.