VOO vs XEML
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs Xtrackers Europe Market Leaders ETF
Which is better, VOO or XEML?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 39.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.9%.
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 | XEML |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $1.0T | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 1.96% |
| Holdings | 519 | 89 |
| YTD Return | +10.69%Best | +2.05% |
| 1Y Return | +11.33%Best | +2.38% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.04% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.65% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.1%Best | 45.9% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Xtrackers ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Dec 23, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
VOO vs XEML 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VOO vs XEML Performance
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Xtrackers Europe Market Leaders ETF (XEML) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs. Over the past year VOO returned +11.33% while XEML returned +2.38%. Year to date, VOO is up 10.69% versus a gain of 2.05% for XEML.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOO charges 0.03% per year while XEML charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $35 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOO currently yields 1.05% against 1.96% for XEML.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 506 holdings in VOO and 37 in XEML, totalling 100.2% and 96.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 37 in XEML, against full books of 519 and 89.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1 positions for XEML that do not appear in our book for VOO (0.1% of the fund), and 501 for VOO that do not appear in XEML (100.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOO and XEML 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 XEML?
VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XEML charges 0.35%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOO or XEML?
Over the past year VOO returned +11.33% vs +2.38% for XEML, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOO or XEML?
VOO yields 1.05% while XEML yields 1.96%, so XEML currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XEML better than VOO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 39.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.