VXUS vs VYMI
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VXUS or VYMI?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VYMI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. 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 | VXUS | VYMI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.07% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $21.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 3.47% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 1,576 |
| YTD Return | +16.15% | +20.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | +27.58% | +32.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48% | +24.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.09% | +14.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -45.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450 | $19,560Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Feb 25, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 2, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.5 years).
VXUS vs VYMI 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 10.5 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs VYMI Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% while VYMI returned +32.45%. Year to date, VXUS is up 16.15% versus a gain of 20.13% for VYMI.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.48% per year against +24.67% for VYMI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.09% and +14.36% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYMI has the edge at +9.77% annualized vs +8.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYMI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.7% for VXUS. 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 -45.2% for VYMI. 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
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while VYMI charges 0.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $7 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.59% against 3.47% for VYMI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 84.7% of VYMI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VYMI is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,383 positions in common, counted across the 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 1,509 in VYMI, against full books of 8,747 and 1,576.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in VYMI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.72% | 1.77% | 1.05% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.65% | 1.59% | 0.94% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.64% | 1.58% | 0.94% |
| ROG:SMRoche Holding Ag | 0.64% | 1.57% | 0.93% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.59% | 1.44% | 0.85% |
| SHELShell plc | 0.48% | 1.19% | 0.71% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group | 0.48% | 1.18% | 0.70% |
| TD:CAToronto-dominion Bank | 0.45% | 1.11% | 0.66% |
| 2454:TWMediatek, Inc. | 0.44% | 1.09% | 0.65% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd. (Aud Shares) | 0.30% | 1.16% | 0.86% |
84.7% of VYMI is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VXUS or VYMI?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VYMI charges 0.07%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or VYMI?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.58% vs +32.45% for VYMI, so VYMI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), VXUS annualized +8.77% vs +9.77% for VYMI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or VYMI?
VYMI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs VYMI -45.2%.
Should I hold both VXUS and VYMI?
VXUS and VYMI 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.
What is the holdings overlap between VXUS and VYMI?
At least 84.7% of VYMI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,383 positions in common, counted across the 8,092 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 1,509 in VYMI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or VYMI?
VXUS yields 2.59% while VYMI yields 3.47%, so VYMI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYMI better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VYMI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. 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.