QEFA vs VXUS
State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QEFA or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QEFA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | QEFA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.79% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 659 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +8.78% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.85% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.85% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.30% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,898 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.4 years).
QEFA 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 12.4 years both funds cover.
QEFA vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) 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 QEFA returned +14.85% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, QEFA is up 8.78% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, QEFA compounded at +16.85% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.30% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QEFA has the edge at +5.37% annualized vs +4.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 13.3% for QEFA. 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 -32.7% for QEFA 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QEFA charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QEFA currently yields 2.79% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.0% of QEFA'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.
Most of QEFA is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
470 positions in common, counted across the 622 positions we hold weights for in QEFA and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 659 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QEFA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROP:SMRoche Holding Ag Common Stock Chf.001 | 1.79% | 0.67% | 1.12% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.78% | 0.62% | 1.16% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa Reg Common Stock Chf.1 | 1.51% | 0.55% | 0.96% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.48% | 0.53% | 0.95% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.28% | 0.56% | 0.72% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 1.08% | 0.49% | 0.59% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.78% | 0.77% | 0.01% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ord Gbp.0311 | 1.13% | 0.30% | 0.83% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 1.03% | 0.33% | 0.70% |
| ZURN:SMZurich Insurance Group. Namen Akt | 0.98% | 0.24% | 0.74% |
72.0% of QEFA 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, QEFA or VXUS?
QEFA has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QEFA or VXUS?
Over the past year QEFA returned +14.85% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), QEFA annualized +5.37% vs +4.96% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QEFA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 13.3% for QEFA. Worst drawdown: QEFA -32.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both QEFA and VXUS?
QEFA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 QEFA and VXUS?
At least 72.0% of QEFA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 470 positions in common, counted across the 622 positions we hold weights for in QEFA and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QEFA or VXUS?
QEFA yields 2.79% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so QEFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QEFA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. QEFA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.