VXUS vs WDEF
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs WisdomTree Europe Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, VXUS or WDEF?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | VXUS | WDEF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $78M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 0.07% |
| Holdings | 8,844 | 98 |
| YTD Return | +10.00%Best | -8.51% |
| 1Y Return | +17.01%Best | -13.72% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.55% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.55% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 31.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.3%Best | -23.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,344Best | $9,115 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jul 17, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 17, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
VXUS vs WDEF 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs WDEF Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Europe Defense Fund ETF (WDEF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% while WDEF returned -13.72%. Year to date, VXUS is up 10.00% versus a loss of 8.51% for WDEF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.0% compared with 13.5% 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 -11.3% for VXUS and -23.9% for WDEF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WDEF charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $45 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.34% against 0.07% for WDEF.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,425 holdings in VXUS and 41 in WDEF, totalling 91.3% and 89.9% 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, 20 positions appear in both.
20 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 41 in WDEF, against full books of 8,844 and 98.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in WDEF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC Ord Gbp0.20 | 0.37% | 5.26% | 4.89% |
| LDO:MILeonardo Spa | 0.05% | 5.29% | 5.24% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 0.29% | 5.00% | 4.71% |
| KOG:OSKongsberg Gruppen | 0.03% | 4.71% | 4.68% |
| HAG:DBHensoldt Ag | 0.01% | 4.47% | 4.46% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.01% | 3.89% | 3.88% |
| IDR:MAIndra Sistemas Sa | 0.01% | 3.62% | 3.61% |
| DE000TKMS001:SGTkms Ag& Co Kgaa | 0.01% | 3.07% | 3.06% |
| R3NK:SGRenk Group Ag | 0.01% | 2.40% | 2.39% |
| EXENS:PAExosens Sas | 0.01% | 1.55% | 1.54% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and WDEF 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, VXUS or WDEF?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WDEF charges 0.45%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WDEF?
Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% vs -13.72% for WDEF, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VXUS annualized +19.18% vs -7.43% for WDEF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WDEF?
WDEF has been the more volatile fund at 31.0% annualized versus 13.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -11.3% vs WDEF -23.9%.
Should I hold both VXUS and WDEF?
VXUS and WDEF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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, VXUS or WDEF?
VXUS yields 2.34% while WDEF yields 0.07%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDEF better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.