VXUS vs VYM
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VXUS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 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 | VXUS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $158.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.48%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +22.28%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.00%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.91% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,323 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS vs VYM 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.
VXUS vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.48% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.00% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.91% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.07% annualized vs +4.82%.
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 12.9% for VYM. 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 -39.9% for VXUS and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.7% of VYM'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.
VYM and VXUS share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 8,747 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.00% | 1.04% | 1.04% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.00% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.04% | 0.15% | 0.11% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.01% | 0.12% | 0.11% |
| BAP:BMCredicorp Ltd | 0.00% | 0.11% | 0.11% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corp | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| SIG:AUSigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and VYM 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, VXUS or VYM?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or VYM?
Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.82% vs +10.07% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or VYM?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 12.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VXUS and VYM?
VXUS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 VXUS and VYM?
At least 1.7% of VYM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or VYM?
VXUS yields 2.51% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VXUS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.