VXUS vs XCEM
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XCEM?
XCEM has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. XCEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | XCEM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.16% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $2.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 2.43% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 484 |
| YTD Return | +12.88% | +32.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.97% | +45.93%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.14% | +26.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.87% | +12.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Best | -41.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,295 | $17,694Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Columbia Threadneedle Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 1, 2015 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 2, 2015 to Sep 23, 2026 (11.1 years).
VXUS vs XCEM 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XCEM Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Over the past year VXUS returned +19.97% while XCEM returned +45.93%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.88% versus a gain of 32.52% for XCEM.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +20.14% per year against +26.58% for XCEM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.87% and +12.09% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, XCEM has the edge at +12.06% annualized vs +7.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XCEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 14.8% 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 -41.2% for XCEM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XCEM charges 0.16%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $16 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 2.43% for XCEM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 55.3% of XCEM'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.
319 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 439 in XCEM, against full books of 8,747 and 484.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XCEM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 1.41% | 3.33% | 1.92% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 0.35% | 1.62% | 1.27% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.21% | 1.45% | 1.24% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.21% | 1.09% | 0.88% |
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd | 0.09% | 1.05% | 0.96% |
| 006400:KRSamsung Sdi Co Ltd | 0.04% | 1.00% | 0.96% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 0.21% | 0.82% | 0.61% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 0.13% | 0.82% | 0.69% |
| 1120:SAAl Rajhi Bank | 0.11% | 0.66% | 0.55% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 0.09% | 0.67% | 0.58% |
55.3% of XCEM 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 XCEM?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XCEM charges 0.16%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XCEM?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.97% vs +45.93% for XCEM, so XCEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), VXUS annualized +7.54% vs +12.06% for XCEM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XCEM?
XCEM has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XCEM -41.2%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XCEM?
VXUS and XCEM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 XCEM?
At least 55.3% of XCEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 319 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 439 in XCEM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XCEM?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XCEM yields 2.43%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XCEM better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. XCEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.