VT vs VWO
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
Which is better, VT or VWO?
VT has been ahead.
VT 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 | VT | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Tie | 0.06%Tie |
| AUM | $97.9B | $122.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.55% | 2.29% |
| Holdings | 10,133 | 6,334 |
| YTD Return | +13.90%Best | +11.44% |
| 1Y Return | +18.20%Best | +15.43% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.78%Best | +18.77% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.44%Best | +7.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 20.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -50.6%Best | -60.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,187Best | $14,164 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | Mar 4, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 21, 2026 (18.2 years).
VT 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
VT vs VWO Performance
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VT returned +18.20% while VWO returned +15.43%. Year to date, VT is up 13.90% versus a gain of 11.44% for VWO.
Over three years, VT compounded at +21.78% per year against +18.77% for VWO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.44% and +7.21% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VT has the edge at +7.30% annualized vs +2.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VWO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 16.6% for VT. 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 -50.6% for VT and -60.3% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VT charges 0.06% per year while VWO charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $6 annually. On income, VT currently yields 1.55% against 2.29% for VWO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9,272 holdings in VT and 4,688 in VWO, totalling 90.1% and 89.2% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 3,707 positions appear in both.
3,707 positions in common, counted across the 9,272 positions we hold weights for in VT and 4,688 in VWO, against full books of 10,133 and 6,334.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VT | Weight in VWO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:AEAdvanced Petrochemicals Co | 1.55% | 14.99% | 13.44% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 0.24% | 2.33% | 2.09% |
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.56% | 1.17% | 0.61% |
| 2454:TWSongz Automobile Air Conditioning Co. Ltd. Class A | 0.13% | 1.31% | 1.18% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.08% | 0.79% | 0.71% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co | 0.08% | 0.78% | 0.70% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 0.07% | 0.77% | 0.70% |
| HDBK:MBHdfc Bank Limited Common Stock Inr1.0 | 0.08% | 0.75% | 0.67% |
| ICICIBANK:MBIcici Bank Ltd | 0.07% | 0.67% | 0.60% |
| 601398:SHIndustrial & Commercial Bank Of China Ltd | 0.01% | 0.64% | 0.63% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VT 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, VT or VWO?
VT has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VWO charges 0.06%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VT or VWO?
Over the past year VT returned +18.20% vs +15.43% for VWO, so VT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VT annualized +7.30% vs +2.45% for VWO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VT or VWO?
VWO has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 16.6% for VT. Worst drawdown: VT -50.6% vs VWO -60.3%.
Should I hold both VT and VWO?
VT and VWO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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, VT or VWO?
VT yields 1.55% while VWO yields 2.29%, so VWO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VWO better than VT?
VT 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.