VXUS vs WDGF
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, VXUS or WDGF?
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 | WDGF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 0.05% |
| Holdings | 8,844 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +10.00%Best | -6.97% |
| 1Y Return | +17.01%Best | -8.07% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.55% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.55% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 21.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.3%Best | -19.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,811Best | $9,502 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 12, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
VXUS vs WDGF 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs WDGF Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF (WDGF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% while WDGF returned -8.07%. Year to date, VXUS is up 10.00% versus a loss of 6.97% for WDGF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDGF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 14.2% 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 -19.9% for WDGF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while WDGF 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 0.05% for WDGF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 20.9% of WDGF'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.
WDGF and VXUS share little of their money.
29 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 111 in WDGF, against full books of 8,844 and 129.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in WDGF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC Ord Gbp0.20 | 0.37% | 3.01% | 2.64% |
| 012450:KRHanwha Techwin Co. Ltd. | 0.06% | 3.29% | 3.23% |
| LDO:MILeonardo Spa | 0.05% | 2.13% | 2.08% |
| ESLT:ILElbit Systems Ltd | 0.04% | 2.05% | 2.01% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.01% | 1.66% | 1.65% |
| KOG:OSKongsberg Gruppen | 0.03% | 1.37% | 1.34% |
| CSG:ASCsg Nv | 0.01% | 1.27% | 1.26% |
| 079550:KRLig Nex1 Co Ltd | 0.01% | 0.83% | 0.82% |
| 272210:KRHanwha Systems Co Ltd | 0.01% | 0.80% | 0.79% |
| HAG:DBHensoldt Ag | 0.01% | 0.75% | 0.74% |
20.9% of WDGF 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, VXUS or WDGF?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while WDGF charges 0.45%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or WDGF?
Over the past year VXUS returned +17.01% vs -8.07% for WDGF, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VXUS annualized +16.34% vs -4.54% for WDGF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or WDGF?
WDGF has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 14.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: VXUS -11.3% vs WDGF -19.9%.
Should I hold both VXUS and WDGF?
VXUS and WDGF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VXUS and WDGF?
At least 20.9% of WDGF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 111 in WDGF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or WDGF?
VXUS yields 2.34% while WDGF yields 0.05%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDGF 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.