EWX vs VXUS
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EWX or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | EWX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $665M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.57% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 3,452 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +7.57% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.03% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.28% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.08% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,433 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 12, 2008 | 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).
EWX 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.
EWX vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EWX returned +10.03% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, EWX is up 7.57% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, EWX compounded at +12.28% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.08% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.53% annualized vs +2.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% 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 -47.0% for EWX 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWX charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWX currently yields 2.57% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in EWX and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 0.5% and 91.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 10 positions appear in both.
10 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in EWX and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 3,452 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1314:TWChina Petrochemical Development Corp | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| 000061:SHShenzhen Agricultural Powe A | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| GLYHO:TRGlobal Yatirim Holding As | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| 000603:SHShengda Resources Co Ltd | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 000810:SHSkyworth Digital Co. Ltd. Class A | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 000030:SHFawer Automotive Parts Co Ltd | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| 000517:SHRongan Property Co. Ltd. Class A | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| 000650:SHRenhe Pharmacy Co. Ltd. Class A | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| 000950:SHC.Q. Pharmaceutical Holding Co Ltd | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| 631:HKShunfa Hengye Corp. Class A | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWX 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, EWX or VXUS?
EWX has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWX or VXUS?
Over the past year EWX returned +10.03% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWX annualized +2.64% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWX or VXUS?
EWX has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EWX -47.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EWX and VXUS?
EWX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, EWX or VXUS?
EWX yields 2.57% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so EWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EWX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.