VXUS vs WCMI
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs First Trust WCM International Equity ETF
Which is better, VXUS or WCMI?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | WCMI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $2.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.53% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 97 |
| YTD Return | +12.82%Best | +11.70% |
| 1Y Return | +19.86%Best | +17.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.46% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6% | -12.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $13,968Best | $13,955 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Mar 31, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 7, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.9 years).
VXUS vs WCMI 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs WCMI Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and First Trust WCM International Equity ETF (WCMI) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% while WCMI returned +17.29%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a gain of 11.70% for WCMI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WCMI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 11.6% 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 -13.6% for VXUS and -12.8% for WCMI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WCMI charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $85 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 0.53% for WCMI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 49.4% of WCMI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
23 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 44 in WCMI, against full books of 8,747 and 97.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in WCMI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSU:CAConstellation Software Inc/Canada | 0.09% | 3.92% | 3.83% |
| BAB:LNBabcock Ranch Cisd Spl Assmt | 0.01% | 3.71% | 3.70% |
| 6758:JPSony Corp | 0.31% | 3.03% | 2.72% |
| TEVA:ILTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Adr) | 0.09% | 3.21% | 3.12% |
| LTMC:MILottomatica Group Spa | 0.01% | 3.07% | 3.06% |
| TSCO:LNTesco Plc /Gbp/ | 0.09% | 2.69% | 2.60% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 0.22% | 2.49% | 2.27% |
| SOGN:PASociete Generale S.A. | 0.14% | 2.47% | 2.33% |
| 285A:JPKioxia Holdings Corp | 0.21% | 2.35% | 2.14% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.37% | 2.19% | 1.82% |
49.4% of WCMI 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VXUS or WCMI?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WCMI charges 0.85%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WCMI?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs +17.29% for WCMI, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VXUS annualized +19.23% vs +19.17% for WCMI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WCMI?
WCMI has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 11.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -13.6% vs WCMI -12.8%.
Should I hold both VXUS and WCMI?
VXUS and WCMI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 WCMI?
At least 49.4% of WCMI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 44 in WCMI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or WCMI?
VXUS yields 2.51% while WCMI yields 0.53%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WCMI better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.