REMG vs VXUS
Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, REMG or VXUS?
REMG has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. REMG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | REMG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.64% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $121M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.11% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 410 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +15.62%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +25.48%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.1% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $14,804Best | $13,027 |
| Fund Family | Russell Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 29, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 30, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.4 years).
REMG 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
REMG vs VXUS Performance
Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF (REMG) is an ETF from Russell Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year REMG returned +25.48% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, REMG is up 15.62% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
REMG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 13.0% 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 -14.1% for REMG and -11.3% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
REMG charges 0.64% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $64 vs $5 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, REMG currently yields 1.11% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 386 holdings in REMG and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 87.0% 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, 229 positions appear in both.
229 positions in common, counted across the 386 positions we hold weights for in REMG and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 410 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in REMG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 005930:KRSamsung Electronics (Equity) | 6.51% | 1.90% | 4.61% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 6.18% | 1.46% | 4.72% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 2.08% | 0.40% | 1.68% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 0.24% | 1.42% | 1.18% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 1.22% | 0.24% | 0.98% |
| 005935:KRSamsung Electronics Pref 0.9 | 1.00% | 0.24% | 0.76% |
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co L | 0.96% | 0.13% | 0.83% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd Ord Twd10 | 0.76% | 0.21% | 0.55% |
| 3711:TWASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | 0.54% | 0.13% | 0.41% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 0.54% | 0.11% | 0.43% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of REMG 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, REMG or VXUS?
REMG has an expense ratio of 0.64% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, REMG or VXUS?
Over the past year REMG returned +25.48% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so REMG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), REMG annualized +32.34% vs +20.79% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, REMG or VXUS?
REMG has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 13.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: REMG -14.1% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both REMG and VXUS?
REMG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, REMG or VXUS?
REMG yields 1.11% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than REMG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. REMG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.