EWG vs VTI
iShares MSCI Germany ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EWG or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.9%.
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 | EWG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 56 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -0.44% | +13.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.03% | +16.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.39% | +22.11%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.98% | +11.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,012 | $17,584Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.9% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 12, 1996 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Oct 15, 2026 (25.4 years).
EWG vs VTI 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 25.4 years both funds cover.
EWG vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EWG returned +2.03% while VTI returned +16.55%. Year to date, EWG is down 0.44% versus a gain of 13.48% for VTI.
Over three years, EWG compounded at +19.39% per year against +22.11% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.98% and +11.95% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.05% annualized vs +4.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -65.1% for EWG and -56.6% for VTI. 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
EWG charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWG currently yields 2.02% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
1.1% of EWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's money is in holdings EWG also owns.
EWG and VTI share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in EWG and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 56 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,155 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for EWG (97.2% of the fund), and 2 for EWG that do not appear in VTI (0.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.07% | 0.49% | 0.58% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWG and VTI 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, EWG or VTI?
EWG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWG or VTI?
Over the past year EWG returned +2.03% vs +16.55% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), EWG annualized +4.24% vs +8.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWG or VTI?
EWG has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EWG -65.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both EWG and VTI?
EWG and VTI 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.
What is the holdings overlap between EWG and VTI?
1.1% of EWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's is in holdings EWG also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in EWG and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWG or VTI?
EWG yields 2.02% while VTI yields 1.06%, so EWG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EWG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.