EQWL vs VXUS
Invesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EQWL or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EQWL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS 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 | EQWL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.8B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.60% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 208 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +11.72%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +15.84% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.26%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.75%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,428Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2006 | 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).
EQWL 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.
EQWL vs VXUS Performance
Invesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF (EQWL) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EQWL returned +15.84% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, EQWL is up 11.72% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, EQWL compounded at +20.26% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.75% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EQWL has the edge at +12.02% annualized vs +4.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.1% for EQWL. 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 -34.8% for EQWL 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQWL charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQWL currently yields 1.60% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.5% of EQWL'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in EQWL and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 208 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EQWL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabate, Inc Class C | 0.47% | 0.00% | 0.47% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EQWL and VXUS 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, EQWL or VXUS?
EQWL has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQWL or VXUS?
Over the past year EQWL returned +15.84% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EQWL annualized +12.02% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQWL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.1% for EQWL. Worst drawdown: EQWL -34.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EQWL and VXUS?
EQWL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQWL or VXUS?
EQWL yields 1.60% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EQWL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EQWL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.