VEA vs VTIAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VEA yields more: 2.46% (dividend yield) against 2.33% for VTIAX. VEA is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.09%. Over the same 15 years (Nov 2010 to Oct 2026), VEA returned 7.9% a year with distributions reinvested, and VTIAX 6.7%.
| Compared | VEA | VTIAX |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 2.46% | 2.33% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +16.9% | +13.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.6% | +20.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +9.2% | +8.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.8% | +9.0% |
| Worst drop since Nov 2010 | -28.1% | -27.8% |
| Share price since Nov 2010 | +103% | +79% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Assets | $310.2B | $646.6B |
| Started | 2007 | 2011 |
| Type | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
Higher yield
VEA
2.46%
Lower cost
VEA
0.03%
Better total return
VEA
7.9%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VTIAX
-27.8%
Key facts: VEA vs VTIAX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, VEA yields 2.46% (dividend yield) and VTIAX yields 2.33% (dividend yield).
- VEA's expense ratio is 0.03% and VTIAX's is 0.09%: $3 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From Nov 2010 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in VEA grew to $33,401 (7.9% a year) and $10,000 in VTIAX to $28,258 (6.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -28.1% for VEA and -27.8% for VTIAX.
- 8 of VEA's top ten holdings are also in VTIAX's top ten, an overlap of at least 9% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "VEA vs VTIAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/vea-vs-vtiax
$10,000 in each, Nov 2010 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
VEA became
$33,401
7.9% a year
VTIAX became
$28,258
6.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | VEA | VTIAX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +35.2% | +32.2% |
| 2024 | +3.1% | +5.2% |
| 2023 | +17.9% | +15.5% |
| 2022 | −15.3% | −16.0% |
| 2021 | +11.7% | +8.6% |
| 2020 | +9.7% | +11.3% |
| 2019 | +22.6% | +21.5% |
| 2018 | −14.7% | −14.5% |
| 2017 | +26.4% | +27.5% |
| 2016 | +2.6% | +4.7% |
| 2015 | −0.4% | −4.3% |
| 2014 | −6.0% | −4.2% |
| 2013 | +21.8% | +15.1% |
| 2012 | +18.6% | +18.2% |
| 2011 | −12.3% | −14.4% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
8 of the top ten overlap, at least 9% of each fund.
VEA
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd2.8%
- SK hynix Inc2.3%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.1%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.0%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new0.9%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC0.9%
- RY Royal Bank of Canada0.9%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares0.8%
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc0.8%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC0.7%
VTIAX
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd4.3%
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd2.0%
- SK hynix Inc1.7%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV1.6%
- Tencent Holdings Ltd0.8%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC0.8%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new0.7%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC0.6%
- RY Royal Bank of Canada0.6%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares0.6%
VEA vs VTIAX: questions
Is VEA or VTIAX better?
It depends on the job. VEA pays more today (2.46% vs 2.33%), VEA costs less, and VEA has the better total return over Nov 2010 to Oct 2026, with VTIAX holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, VEA or VTIAX?
VEA, at 2.46% against 2.33% for VTIAX as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $246 vs $233 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VEA. From Nov 2010 to Oct 2026, it returned 7.9% a year with distributions reinvested, against 6.7% for VTIAX. $10,000 became $33,401 vs $28,258.
Which is cheaper, VEA or VTIAX?
VEA, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.09%.
Do VEA and VTIAX hold the same things?
Partly. 8 of their top ten holdings match (Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, SK hynix Inc, ASML.AS, HSBA.L), at least 9% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VEA leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.