VXUS vs WDGF
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, VXUS or WDGF?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y.
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 | WDGF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 0.05% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +15.57%Best | +0.19% |
| 1Y Return | +27.46%Best | +2.40% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.30% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.96% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 21.6% |
| 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: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VXUS vs WDGF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VXUS vs WDGF Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF (WDGF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VXUS returned +27.46% while WDGF returned +2.40%. Year to date, VXUS is up 15.57% versus a gain of 0.19% for WDGF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDGF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% compared with 13.9% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WDGF 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 2.59% against 0.05% for WDGF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 15.3% of WDGF'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.
WDGF and VXUS share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 8,094 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 114 in WDGF, against full books of 8,747 and 129.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in WDGF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDO:MILeonardo Spa | 0.05% | 2.27% | 2.22% |
| ESLT:ILElbit Systems Ltd. | 0.05% | 2.15% | 2.10% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd. | 0.01% | 2.08% | 2.07% |
| KOG:OSKongsberg Gruppen | 0.03% | 1.24% | 1.21% |
| CSG:ASCsg Nv | 0.00% | 1.27% | 1.27% |
| 079550:KRLig Nex1 Co Ltd | 0.01% | 0.82% | 0.81% |
| 272210:KRHanwha Systems Co., Ltd. | 0.01% | 0.70% | 0.69% |
| IDR:MAIndra Sistemas Sa | 0.01% | 0.51% | 0.50% |
| BAB:LNBabcock Int'L Grp Plc | 0.01% | 0.49% | 0.48% |
| DE000TKMS001:SGTkms Ag& Co Kgaa | 0.00% | 0.44% | 0.44% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and WDGF 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 WDGF?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WDGF charges 0.45%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WDGF?
Over the past year VXUS returned +27.46% vs +2.40% for WDGF, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WDGF?
WDGF has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 13.9% for VXUS.
Should I hold both VXUS and WDGF?
VXUS and WDGF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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 WDGF?
At least 15.3% of WDGF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 8,094 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 114 in WDGF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or WDGF?
VXUS yields 2.59% while WDGF yields 0.05%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDGF better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.