Dividend comparison
VXUS vs VWO: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VXUS vs VWO: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% a year versus 0.06% for VWO. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. VWO pays more income, yielding 2.54% over the last twelve months versus 2.37% for VXUS. That is about $17 more a year on $10,000. VXUS pays quarterly, VWO pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VXUS returned 44.9% versus 28.9% for VWO, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,485 in VXUS and $12,887 in VWO.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -28.9% for VXUS and -30.2% for VWO from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VXUS holds 8,602 positions and VWO holds 5,942. The ten largest positions make up 13.4% of VXUS and 27.3% of VWO.
- Overlap. At least 8% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 12 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. VXUS grew its yearly payout 5.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus 3.6% for VWO.
- Size. VXUS is the larger fund with $649.3 billion in assets, against $164.7 billion for VWO.
Bottom line: VXUS has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. VWO does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
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 | VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.37% | 2.54% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.98 | $1.48 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.1562 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.1137 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 3.6% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $83.74 | $58.25 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 1 year |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.78 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -28.9% | -30.2% |
| Market cap | $667.22B | $164.76B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Assets under management | $649.30B | $164.70B |
| Number of holdings | 8602 | 5942 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.4% | 27.3% |
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
VWO
$21.17/mo
$254 /yr at 2.54% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VXUS pays quarterly; VWO pays annual.
| Year | VXUS | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.3988 | $1.4973 |
| 2024 | $1.9842 | $1.4089 |
| 2023 | $1.8808 | $1.4472 |
| 2022 | $1.5990 | $1.6037 |
| 2021 | $1.9678 | $1.2994 |
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 $12,887 in VWO.
| Period | VXUS | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.49% | -2.93% |
| 3 months | 0.44% | 0.74% |
| Year to date | 11.00% | 8.68% |
| 1 year | 11.76% | 8.25% |
| 3 years | 72.73% | 66.91% |
| 5 years | 44.85% | 28.87% |
- VXUS
- VWO
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
- VWO
VXUS vs VWO holdings overlap
At least 8% overlap by weight, with 12 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 | VWO weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 4.24% | 15.72% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 0.76% | 2.81% |
| 9988.HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 0.57% | 2.11% |
| 2454.TWMediaTek Inc | 0.50% | 1.87% |
| 2308.TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.25% | 0.94% |
| 0939.HKChina Construction Bank Corp | 0.25% | 0.91% |
| 2317.TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.21% | 0.79% |
| HDFCBANK.BOHDFC Bank Ltd | 0.21% | 0.78% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC Bank Ltd | 0.19% | 0.70% |
| RELIANCE.BOReliance Industries Ltd | 0.19% | 0.69% |
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% |
VWO5942 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 15.72% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 2.81% |
| 9988.HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 2.11% |
| 2454.TWMediaTek Inc | 1.87% |
| 2308.TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.94% |
| 0939.HKChina Construction Bank Corp | 0.91% |
| 2317.TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.79% |
| HDFCBANK.BOHDFC Bank Ltd | 0.78% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC Bank Ltd | 0.70% |
| RELIANCE.BOReliance Industries Ltd | 0.69% |
Quick verdict
VXUS has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. VWO does not lead on any of the measures compared here. 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 VWO fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VXUS or VWO better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VXUS currently yields 2.37% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while VWO yields 2.54%. 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 VWO?
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) 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 VWO?
VXUS has the lower expense ratio. VXUS charges 0.05% a year and VWO charges 0.06%, a difference of $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VXUS or VWO?
Over the last 5 years, VXUS has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VXUS returned 44.9% and VWO returned 28.9%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VXUS or VWO?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VWO has been riskier: VXUS fell as much as 28.9% and VWO as much as 30.2%. Their betas are 0.92 and 0.78.
How much do VXUS and VWO overlap?
At least 8% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 12 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are 2330.TW, 0700.HK, 9988.HK. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VXUS and VWO pay dividends?
VXUS pays quarterly and VWO pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in VXUS vs VWO generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VXUS would generate roughly $19.75 per month ($237 annually). The same amount in VWO would produce about $21.17 per month ($254 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VXUS and VWO?
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 VWO with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VXUS and VWO 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.