VOO vs VWO
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
Which is better, VOO or VWO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VWO over 1Y.
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 | VOO | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $997.4B | $122.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 2.39% |
| Holdings | 509 | 6,334 |
| YTD Return | +13.37%Best | +11.98% |
| 1Y Return | +20.08% | +22.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.29%Best | +18.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.89%Best | +6.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -43.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,335Best | $13,471 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Mar 4, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16 years).
VOO vs VWO 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 16 years both funds cover.
VOO vs VWO Performance
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOO returned +20.08% while VWO returned +22.71%. Year to date, VOO is up 13.37% versus a gain of 11.98% for VWO.
Over three years, VOO compounded at +21.29% per year against +18.22% for VWO; over five years the annualized figures are +12.89% and +6.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.48% annualized vs +3.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VWO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -34.3% for VOO and -43.7% for VWO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOO charges 0.03% per year while VWO charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOO currently yields 1.08% against 2.39% for VWO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in VOO and 4,695 in VWO, totalling 99.9% and 88.0% of the two funds. That is not enough of VWO to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 4,695 in VWO, against full books of 509 and 6,334.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VOO | Weight in VWO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOO and VWO 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, VOO or VWO?
VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VWO charges 0.06%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOO or VWO?
Over the past year VOO returned +20.08% vs +22.71% for VWO, so VWO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VOO annualized +13.48% vs +3.34% for VWO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOO or VWO?
VWO has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: VOO -34.3% vs VWO -43.7%.
Should I hold both VOO and VWO?
VOO and VWO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, VOO or VWO?
VOO yields 1.08% while VWO yields 2.39%, so VWO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VWO better than VOO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VWO over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.