VEA vs VGSH
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF vs Vanguard Short Term Treasury ETF
Which is better, VEA or VGSH?
Large Cap Blend against Short Term Government Bond.
VEA 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 | VEA | VGSH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $231.6B | $35.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.41% | 3.80% |
| Holdings | 3,904 | 92 |
| YTD Return | +10.69%Best | +0.73% |
| 1Y Return | +18.60%Best | +1.49% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.22%Best | +4.11% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.45%Best | +1.92% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 1.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,706Best | $10,998 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Short Term Government Bond |
| Inception | Jul 20, 2007 | Nov 19, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 23, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.9 years).
VEA vs VGSH 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VEA vs VGSH Performance
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Short Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VEA returned +18.60% while VGSH returned +1.49%. Year to date, VEA is up 10.69% versus a gain of 0.73% for VGSH.
Over three years, VEA compounded at +20.22% per year against +4.11% for VGSH; over five years the annualized figures are +9.45% and +1.92% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VEA has the edge at +5.14% annualized vs +0.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 1.4% for VGSH. 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 -39.9% for VEA and -6.7% for VGSH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.13. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VEA charges 0.03% per year while VGSH charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VEA currently yields 2.41% against 3.80% for VGSH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,753 holdings in VEA and 71 in VGSH, totalling 94.2% and 74.0% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 3,753 positions we hold weights for in VEA and 71 in VGSH, against full books of 3,904 and 92.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VEA | Weight in VGSH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.13% | 0.42% | 0.29% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VEA and VGSH 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, VEA or VGSH?
VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGSH charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VEA or VGSH?
Over the past year VEA returned +18.60% vs +1.49% for VGSH, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VEA annualized +5.14% vs +0.70% for VGSH. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VEA or VGSH?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 1.4% for VGSH. Worst drawdown: VEA -39.9% vs VGSH -6.7%.
Should I hold both VEA and VGSH?
VEA and VGSH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.13, 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, VEA or VGSH?
VEA yields 2.41% while VGSH yields 3.80%, so VGSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGSH better than VEA?
VEA 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.