VXUS ETF: What Is It? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a broadly diversified core holding covering developed and emerging markets outside the US, with an ultra-low expense ratio and quarterly dividends as its main strengths. Differences in coverage and emerging-market weighting versus VEA, IEFA, VT, and VEU are the key selection criteria.
SubscribeWhat Is the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF?
It is a passive ETF managed by Vanguard that tracks the FTSE Global ex-US Index. It provides automatic, market-cap-weighted diversification across developed and emerging market stocks outside the United States.
It suits asset allocation investors who want to add broad global diversification to a US-centric portfolio, as well as core investors who want to cover developed and emerging markets with a single holding.
It is an ETF managed by Vanguard using a passive (index-tracking) approach.
How Does the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracking Index | FTSE Global ex-US Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Coverage | Developed and emerging market stocks outside the US |
| Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% |
| Manager | Vanguard |
It uses a passive strategy designed to deliver broadly diversified exposure to developed and emerging market stocks worldwide, excluding the US. With heavy weightings in Europe and Japan, plus emerging markets such as China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea, it offers ample global diversification.
- Combined exposure to developed and emerging markets outside the US
- Ultra-low-cost global core ETF
- Non-US diversification in a single holding
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) are $160.0B, and the expense ratio is 0.05% per year.
Among the funds shown in the table, VEA, IEFA, and EFA cover developed markets only, and VEU includes emerging markets but excludes small caps. VXUS offers broader coverage that includes developed markets, emerging markets, and small caps, giving it a wider diversification range. VT is a variant with global exposure that also includes the US.
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeIt has shown somewhat higher volatility than the US market, and because of its emerging-market weighting, volatility has partly widened during cycles of rising US interest rates and a strong dollar. Thanks to global diversification, short-term volatility tends to be spread out compared with a US-only portfolio.
It belongs to the group of mega ETFs with deep demand for global diversification and steady inflows of asset allocation capital. Inflows can become especially pronounced when concerns about US market valuations come to the fore.
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF Pros and Cons
Its main strengths are an ultra-low expense ratio and broad diversification across developed and emerging markets outside the US. Volatility tied to emerging-market weighting and multi-currency exposure are drawbacks to consider in advance.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF Alternatives and Related Products
Among the funds shown in the table, VEA, IEFA, and EFA are variants with developed-market exposure only, VEU includes emerging markets but excludes small caps, and VT is a globally diversified ETF that also includes the US. If you want to add emerging markets separately, you can also consider VWO or IEMG, and if you need developed and emerging market bond exposure, variants such as BNDX and EMB.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 VEA | Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | $69.33 | +0.4% | $226.4B | 0.03% | 2.46% | +13.3% |
 IEFA | iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | $95.96 | +0.3% | $188.2B | 0.07% | 3.43% | +8.2% |
 VT | Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | $156.64 | +0.5% | $81.8B | 0.06% | 1.54% | +11.7% |
 EFA | iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | $102.91 | +0.3% | $76.1B | 0.32% | 3.27% | +8.3% |
 SCHF | Schwab International Equity ETF | $26.90 | +0.4% | $66.9B | 0.03% | 3.13% | +12.8% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ADR | 0.08% | $424.37 | +1.4% | $2.20T | 27.3 | 0.97% |
| ASML | ASML Holding NV | 0.03% | $1590.90 | +1.2% | $613.2B | 39.2 | 0.65% |
| SKHY | SK Hynix Inc ADR | 0.01% | $142.62 | +4.1% | $1.04T | 9.3 | 0.36% |
 HSBH | HSBC Holdings plc ADRhedged | 0.01% | $101.45 | +0.7% | $0.0M | - | 2.47% |
| HSBC | HSBC Holdings plc ADR | 0.01% | $91.21 | +0.6% | $312.6B | 13.1 | 4.58% |
| BABA | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd ADR | 0.01% | $100.25 | +0.6% | $249.4B | 23.6 | 1.11% |
| RY | Royal Bank Of Canada | 0.01% | $202.47 | +0.7% | $280.7B | 17.7 | 2.44% |
| AZN | Astrazeneca plc | 0.01% | $172.06 | +0.3% | $266.8B | 25.7 | 1.94% |
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in VXUS. Its broad non-US global diversification is a strength, but it is advisable to double-check multi-currency exposure, emerging-market volatility, and the absence of US exposure before buying, and to review how much to allocate alongside US ETFs.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the impact of cumulative long-term costs | Among the lowest |
| 🌏 Coverage | Includes developed, emerging, and small-cap stocks | Broad diversification |
| 💱 Multi-Currency | Euro, yen, emerging-market currencies | No currency hedging |
| 📊 US Weighting | Needs to be combined with US ETFs | Not included |
Multi-currency exposure, emerging-market currency and policy risk, and the absence of US exposure are the main sources of short-term volatility and diversification limits. If you want a worldwide core asset allocation, you should also consider combining it with VT or a US ETF.
It is regarded as a standard choice for a broadly diversified core holding covering the world outside the US. If you want to cover the US as well with a single holding, VT is a suitable alternative, and if you prefer to manage developed and emerging markets separately, a combination of VEA+VWO or IEFA+IEMG fits.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of May 21, 2026.
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