Dividend comparison
VXUS vs VEA: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VXUS vs VEA: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VEA is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.05% for VXUS. On $10,000 that is $2 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 2.37% for VXUS and 2.44% for VEA. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VEA returned 51.8% versus 44.9% for VXUS, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,183 in VEA and $14,485 in VXUS.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -28.9% for VXUS and -29.3% for VEA from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VXUS holds 8,602 positions and VEA holds 3,873. The ten largest positions make up 13.4% of VXUS and 13.2% of VEA.
- Overlap. At least 30% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 87 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. VEA grew its yearly payout 5.6% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.1% for VXUS.
- Size. VXUS is the larger fund with $649.3 billion in assets, against $313.5 billion for VEA.
Bottom line: VXUS fits better if you care most about broader diversification. VEA fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.37% | 2.44% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.98 | $1.70 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.1562 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.1775 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 5.6% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $83.74 | $69.78 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 1 year |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.97 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -28.9% | -29.3% |
| Market cap | $667.22B | $313.86B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $649.30B | $313.50B |
| Number of holdings | 8602 | 3873 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.4% | 13.2% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VXUS
$19.75/mo
$237 /yr at 2.37% yield
VEA
$20.35/mo
$244 /yr at 2.44% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VXUS pays quarterly; VEA pays quarterly.
| Year | VXUS | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.3988 | $2.0094 |
| 2024 | $1.9842 | $1.6042 |
| 2023 | $1.8808 | $1.5112 |
| 2022 | $1.5990 | $1.2219 |
| 2021 | $1.9678 | $1.6140 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $14,485 in VXUS and $15,183 in VEA.
| Period | VXUS | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.49% | -2.24% |
| 3 months | 0.44% | 0.11% |
| Year to date | 11.00% | 11.70% |
| 1 year | 11.76% | 13.95% |
| 3 years | 72.73% | 76.30% |
| 5 years | 44.85% | 51.83% |
- VXUS
- VEA
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VXUS
- VEA
VXUS vs VEA holdings overlap
At least 30% overlap by weight, with 87 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | VXUS weight | VEA weight |
|---|---|---|
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.02% | 2.79% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 1.65% | 2.28% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 1.54% | 2.12% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 0.76% | 1.04% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.65% | 0.90% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.62% | 0.85% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.61% | 0.85% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.59% | 0.82% |
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.56% | 0.78% |
| AZN.LAstraZeneca PLC | 0.54% | 0.74% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VXUS8602 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 4.24% |
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.02% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 1.65% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 1.54% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 0.76% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 0.76% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.65% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.62% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.61% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.59% |
VEA3873 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.79% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 2.28% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 2.12% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 1.04% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.90% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.85% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.85% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.82% |
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.78% |
| AZN.LAstraZeneca PLC | 0.74% |
Quick verdict
VXUS fits better if you care most about broader diversification. VEA fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how VXUS vs VEA fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VXUS or VEA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VXUS currently yields 2.37% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while VEA yields 2.44%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VXUS and VEA?
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VXUS or VEA?
VEA has the lower expense ratio. VXUS charges 0.05% a year and VEA charges 0.03%, a difference of $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VXUS or VEA?
Over the last 5 years, VEA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VXUS returned 44.9% and VEA returned 51.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VXUS or VEA?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VEA has been riskier: VXUS fell as much as 28.9% and VEA as much as 29.3%. Their betas are 0.92 and 0.97.
How much do VXUS and VEA overlap?
At least 30% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 87 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are 005930.KS, 000660.KS, ASML.AS. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VXUS and VEA pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.1562 for VXUS and $0.1775 for VEA.
How much income does $10,000 in VXUS vs VEA generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VXUS would generate roughly $19.75 per month ($237 annually). The same amount in VEA would produce about $20.35 per month ($244 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VXUS and VEA?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VXUS vs VEA with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VXUS and VEA fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.