VXUS vs WDIV

VXUS vs WDIV

Which is better, VXUS or WDIV?

Each has led over a different period.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, WDIV over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: split

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

MetricVXUSWDIV
Expense Ratio0.05%Best0.40%
AUM$158.1B$289M
Dividend Yield2.51%4.01%
Holdings8,747121
YTD Return+12.82%+13.25%Best
1Y Return+19.86%Best+19.55%
3Y Return (annualized)+19.33%Best+18.31%
5Y Return (annualized)+9.46%+9.82%Best
Volatility (annualized)14.5%Best14.7%
Max Drawdown-39.9%Best-44.5%
$10,000 over 5 years$15,714$15,974Best
Fund FamilyVanguard (US)SPDR State Street Global Advisors
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJan 26, 2011May 29, 2013

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 30, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.3 years).

VXUS vs WDIV 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 13.3 years both funds cover.

VXUS vs WDIV Performance

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF (WDIV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% while WDIV returned +19.55%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a gain of 13.25% for WDIV.

Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.33% per year against +18.31% for WDIV; over five years the annualized figures are +9.46% and +9.82% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.62% annualized vs +4.44%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

WDIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.5% 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 -44.5% for WDIV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. 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 WDIV charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $40 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 4.01% for WDIV.

Holdings Overlap

WDIV already in VXUS55.6%

At least 55.6% of WDIV'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.

54 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 95 in WDIV, against full books of 8,747 and 121.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in VXUSWeight in WDIVDifference
992:HKLenovo Group Ltd0.05%2.86%2.81%
LGEN:LNLegal & General Group PLC Ord Gbp0.0250.05%1.81%1.76%
APA:AUApa Group0.02%1.63%1.61%
CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd0.22%1.38%1.16%
DNB:OSDnb Bank Asa0.06%1.43%1.37%
PBAPembina Pipeline Corp Cum Red Pfd Shs -A- Series -90.06%1.33%1.27%
NESN:SMNestle Sa Reg Common Stock Chf.10.58%0.81%0.23%
SDR:LNSchroders Plc0.01%1.34%1.33%
KEY:CAKeyera Corp0.02%1.32%1.30%
3360:TKShip Healthcare Holdings Inc0.00%1.31%1.31%

55.6% of WDIV 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.

VXUSWDIV

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, VXUS or WDIV?

VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WDIV charges 0.40%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, VXUS or WDIV?

Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs +19.55% for WDIV, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), VXUS annualized +5.62% vs +4.44% for WDIV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, VXUS or WDIV?

WDIV has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs WDIV -44.5%.

Should I hold both VXUS and WDIV?

VXUS and WDIV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 WDIV?

At least 55.6% of WDIV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 54 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 95 in WDIV.

Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or WDIV?

VXUS yields 2.51% while WDIV yields 4.01%, so WDIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is WDIV better than VXUS?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, WDIV over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.