Dividend comparison
VXUS vs VUG: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VXUS vs VUG: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VUG is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.05% for VXUS. On $10,000 that is $2 a year less in fees.
- Income. VXUS pays more income, yielding 2.37% over the last twelve months versus 0.39% for VUG. That is about $198 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VUG returned 78.4% versus 44.9% for VXUS, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $17,845 in VUG and $14,485 in VXUS.
- Risk. VUG has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -35.6%, against -28.9% for VXUS.
- Diversification. VXUS holds 8,602 positions and VUG holds 166. The ten largest positions make up 13.4% of VXUS and 63.1% of VUG.
- Dividend growth. VUG grew its yearly payout 6.9% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.1% for VXUS.
Bottom line: VXUS fits better if you care most about more income today, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. VUG fits better if you care most about lower fees, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.
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 | VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.37% | 0.39% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.98 | $0.35 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.1562 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.0910 on Sep 30, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 6.9% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $83.74 | $88.67 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 3 years |
| Beta | 0.92 | 1.27 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -28.9% | -35.6% |
| Market cap | $667.22B | $392.24B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $649.30B | $392.20B |
| Number of holdings | 8602 | 166 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.4% | 63.1% |
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
VUG
$3.25/mo
$39 /yr at 0.39% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VXUS pays quarterly; VUG pays quarterly.
| Year | VXUS | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.3988 | $0.3351 |
| 2024 | $1.9842 | $0.3188 |
| 2023 | $1.8808 | $0.3003 |
| 2022 | $1.5990 | $0.2499 |
| 2021 | $1.9678 | $0.2567 |
Strategy: Broad index
Low-cost funds that hold an entire market or index at market-cap weights and make no attempt to select securities. Return is the index return less a small fee, and dividends are a by-product of what the underlying companies choose to pay rather than an objective of the strategy. Differences between funds tracking the same index usually come down to fee, wrapper structure, share price and trading liquidity, not to holdings.
Current income is low and outside your control, so these need pairing with something else if the portfolio has to produce cash today.
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 $17,845 in VUG.
| Period | VXUS | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.49% | 0.01% |
| 3 months | 0.44% | 4.01% |
| Year to date | 11.00% | 9.40% |
| 1 year | 11.76% | 10.23% |
| 3 years | 72.73% | 99.93% |
| 5 years | 44.85% | 78.45% |
- VXUS
- VUG
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
- VUG
VXUS vs VUG holdings overlap
At least 0% overlap by weight, with 0 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
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% |
Quick verdict
VXUS fits better if you care most about more income today, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. VUG fits better if you care most about lower fees, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. 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 VUG fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VXUS or VUG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VXUS currently yields 2.37% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while VUG yields 0.39%. 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 VUG?
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) 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 VUG?
VUG has the lower expense ratio. VXUS charges 0.05% a year and VUG charges 0.03%, a difference of $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VXUS or VUG?
Over the last 5 years, VUG has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VXUS returned 44.9% and VUG returned 78.4%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VXUS or VUG?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VUG has been riskier: VXUS fell as much as 28.9% and VUG as much as 35.6%. Their betas are 0.92 and 1.27.
How often do VXUS and VUG pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.1562 for VXUS and $0.0910 for VUG.
How much income does $10,000 in VXUS vs VUG generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VXUS would generate roughly $19.75 per month ($237 annually). The same amount in VUG would produce about $3.25 per month ($39 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VXUS and VUG?
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 VUG with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VXUS and VUG 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.