VXUS vs WDAF
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, VXUS or WDAF?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | WDAF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $20M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 0.12% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 69 |
| YTD Return | +12.88%Best | +4.10% |
| 1Y Return | +19.97%Best | -3.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.14% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.87% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 34.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.3%Best | -28.2% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $12,031Best | $9,778 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 12, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1 years).
VXUS vs WDAF 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 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs WDAF Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund ETF (WDAF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.97% while WDAF returned -3.34%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.88% versus a gain of 4.10% for WDAF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDAF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.7% compared with 14.3% 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 -11.3% for VXUS and -28.2% for WDAF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WDAF charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $45 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 0.12% for WDAF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 70.9% of WDAF'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.
Most of WDAF is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
29 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 60 in WDAF, against full books of 8,747 and 69.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in WDAF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.02% | 8.91% | 8.89% |
| BAJE:MBBharat Electronics Ltd | 0.03% | 7.68% | 7.65% |
| 47810:KRKorea Aerospace Industries Ltd | 0.01% | 7.48% | 7.47% |
| 079550:KRLig Nex1 Co Ltd | 0.01% | 7.39% | 7.38% |
| 64350:KRHyundai Rotem Co Ltd | 0.02% | 5.49% | 5.47% |
| STEG:SISingapore Tech Engineerin | 0.03% | 4.22% | 4.19% |
| 272210:KRHanwha Systems Co Ltd | 0.01% | 3.76% | 3.75% |
| 329180:KRHyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. | 0.02% | 3.04% | 3.02% |
| 042660:KRHANWHA OCEAN CO LTD | 0.02% | 2.87% | 2.85% |
| MAZG:MBMazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd | 0.00% | 1.90% | 1.90% |
70.9% of WDAF 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 WDAF?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WDAF charges 0.45%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WDAF?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.97% vs -3.34% for WDAF, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VXUS annualized +20.31% vs -2.22% for WDAF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WDAF?
WDAF has been the more volatile fund at 34.7% annualized versus 14.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -11.3% vs WDAF -28.2%.
Should I hold both VXUS and WDAF?
VXUS and WDAF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 WDAF?
At least 70.9% of WDAF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 60 in WDAF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or WDAF?
VXUS yields 2.51% while WDAF yields 0.12%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDAF 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.