VEA vs VXUS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VEA yields more: 2.46% (dividend yield) against 2.42% for VXUS. VEA is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.05%. Over the same 15 years (Jan 2011 to Oct 2026), VEA returned 7.3% a year with distributions reinvested, and VXUS 6.3%.
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares2.42%dividend yield| Compared | VEA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 2.46% | 2.42% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +16.9% | +13.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.6% | +20.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +9.2% | +8.1% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.8% | +9.1% |
| Worst drop since Jan 2011 | -28.1% | -27.7% |
| Share price since Jan 2011 | +88% | +65% |
| 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
7.3%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VXUS
-27.7%
Key facts: VEA vs VXUS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, VEA yields 2.46% (dividend yield) and VXUS yields 2.42% (dividend yield).
- VEA's expense ratio is 0.03% and VXUS's is 0.05%: $3 vs $5 a year on $10,000.
- From Jan 2011 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in VEA grew to $30,152 (7.3% a year) and $10,000 in VXUS to $26,207 (6.3% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -28.1% for VEA and -27.7% for VXUS.
- 8 of VEA's top ten holdings are also in VXUS's top ten, an overlap of at least 9% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "VEA vs VXUS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/vea-vs-vxus
$10,000 in each, Jan 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
VEA became
$30,152
7.3% a year
VXUS became
$26,207
6.3% a year
Year by year
| Year | VEA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +35.2% | +32.3% |
| 2024 | +3.1% | +5.1% |
| 2023 | +17.9% | +15.9% |
| 2022 | −15.3% | −16.1% |
| 2021 | +11.7% | +9.0% |
| 2020 | +9.7% | +10.7% |
| 2019 | +22.6% | +21.7% |
| 2018 | −14.7% | −14.4% |
| 2017 | +26.4% | +27.5% |
| 2016 | +2.6% | +4.8% |
| 2015 | −0.4% | −4.2% |
| 2014 | −6.0% | −4.7% |
| 2013 | +21.8% | +14.6% |
| 2012 | +18.6% | +18.6% |
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%
VXUS
- 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 VXUS: questions
Is VEA or VXUS better?
It depends on the job. VEA pays more today (2.46% vs 2.42%), VEA costs less, and VEA has the better total return over Jan 2011 to Oct 2026, with VXUS 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 VXUS?
VEA, at 2.46% against 2.42% for VXUS as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $246 vs $242 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VEA. From Jan 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 7.3% a year with distributions reinvested, against 6.3% for VXUS. $10,000 became $30,152 vs $26,207.
Which is cheaper, VEA or VXUS?
VEA, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.05%.
Do VEA and VXUS 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.
Related comparisons
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.