VXUS vs XEML
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs Xtrackers Europe Market Leaders ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XEML?
VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | XEML |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $163.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 1.77% |
| Holdings | 8,844 | 88 |
| YTD Return | +10.00%Best | -4.33% |
| 1Y Return | +17.01% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.55% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.55% | - |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Xtrackers ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 23, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VXUS vs XEML 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.
VXUS vs XEML Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Xtrackers Europe Market Leaders ETF (XEML) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs. Year to date, VXUS is up 10.00% versus a loss of 4.33% for XEML.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XEML charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $35 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.34% against 1.77% for XEML.
Holdings Overlap
At least 57.9% of XEML'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
22 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 41 in XEML, against full books of 8,844 and 88.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXUS | Weight in XEML | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.67% | 4.93% | 4.26% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 1.42% | 3.99% | 2.57% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 0.29% | 4.95% | 4.66% |
| SU:PASchneider Electric | 0.40% | 4.68% | 4.28% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.55% | 4.43% | 3.88% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.62% | 4.16% | 3.54% |
| CFR:SMCie Financiere Richemo-A Reg | 0.28% | 4.42% | 4.14% |
| GSK:LNGSK plc | 0.22% | 4.34% | 4.12% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd.[Abbn] | 0.33% | 4.12% | 3.79% |
| MC:PALvmh Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Se | 0.28% | 3.85% | 3.57% |
57.9% of XEML 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 XEML?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XEML charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between VXUS and XEML?
At least 57.9% of XEML's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 41 in XEML.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XEML?
VXUS yields 2.34% while XEML yields 1.77%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XEML better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.