VT vs VXUS
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VT or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VT led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $97.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.55% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 10,133 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.37% | +13.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.58% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.15%Best | +19.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.67%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,602Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | 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 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
VT 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.
VT vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VT returned +17.58% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, VT is up 12.37% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, VT compounded at +20.15% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.67% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VT has the edge at +8.70% annualized vs +4.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.4% 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 -34.5% for VT 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VT 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, VT currently yields 1.55% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9,272 holdings in VT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 90.1% and 88.8% 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, 6,861 positions appear in both.
6,861 positions in common, counted across the 9,272 positions we hold weights for in VT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 10,133 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:SAAdvanced Petrochemical Co | 0.00% | 4.02% | 4.02% |
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 0.69% | 1.80% | 1.11% |
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 0.55% | 1.42% | 0.87% |
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.56% | 0.76% | 0.20% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.31% | 0.82% | 0.51% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.25% | 0.66% | 0.41% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.25% | 0.65% | 0.40% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 0.24% | 0.62% | 0.38% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.22% | 0.58% | 0.36% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.22% | 0.57% | 0.35% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VT and VXUS 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 VXUS?
VT 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, VT or VXUS?
Over the past year VT returned +17.58% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VT annualized +8.70% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VT or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.4% for VT. Worst drawdown: VT -34.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both VT and VXUS?
VT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, VT or VXUS?
VT yields 1.55% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VT led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.