EEA vs VXUS
The European Equity Fund, Inc. vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EEA or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | EEA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.05% |
| AUM | $83M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.09% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 63 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -1.31% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.77% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.00% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.39% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,002 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | DWS ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 23, 1986 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
EEA vs VXUS 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
EEA vs VXUS Performance
The European Equity Fund, Inc. (EEA) is an ETF from DWS ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EEA returned +1.77% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, EEA is down 1.31% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, EEA compounded at +13.00% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.39% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.53% annualized vs +4.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.2% compared with 15.0% 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 -45.3% for EEA and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Holdings Overlap
At least 59.1% of EEA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, EEA as of Jun 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
35 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in EEA and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 63 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EEA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 6.45% | 1.42% | 5.03% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 3.67% | 0.77% | 2.90% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 3.23% | 0.62% | 2.61% |
| IFX:FFInfineon Technologies AG Infineon Technologies Agnamens Aktien O N | 3.01% | 0.19% | 2.82% |
| UCG:MIUnicredit Spa | 2.52% | 0.32% | 2.20% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 2.30% | 0.53% | 1.77% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 2.16% | 0.67% | 1.49% |
| SANB11:BVBanco Santander, S.A Ordinary Shares | 2.77% | 0.00% | 2.77% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 2.17% | 0.53% | 1.64% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 2.40% | 0.29% | 2.11% |
59.1% of EEA 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 performed better, EEA or VXUS?
Over the past year EEA returned +1.77% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EEA annualized +4.46% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEA or VXUS?
EEA has been the more volatile fund at 18.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EEA -45.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EEA and VXUS?
EEA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 EEA and VXUS?
At least 59.1% of EEA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in EEA and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EEA or VXUS?
EEA yields 3.09% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so EEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EEA?
VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.