A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares (VXUS) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYMI) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VXUS | VYMI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.62% | +3.07%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.67% | -0.50%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.50% | +1.61%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -2.11% | +1.48%✓ |
| Current Price | $82.66 | $102.29 |
| AUM | $161.41B✓ | $21.95B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.05%✓ | 0.07% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.35% | 3.61%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2011-01-26 | 2016-02-25 |
| Holdings Count | 8416 | 1446 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | International Developed Equity (ex-US) | International Developed Equity (ex-US) |
| Beta | 0.93 | 0.71 |
| 52-Week High | $88.46 | $106.45 |
| 52-Week Low | $70.29 | $81.41 |
| 50-Day MA | $85.00 | $102.70 |
| 200-Day MA | $83.51 | $100.01 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VXUS | VYMI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.62% | +3.07%✓ |
| 1 Year | +12.60% | +21.47%✓ |
| 3 Year | +18.55% | +23.53%✓ |
| 5 Year | +7.76% | +13.18%✓ |
| 10 Year | +8.81% | +10.45%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 15.84% | 13.97% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.27 | 1.76 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 4.14% |
| 2 | SSNLF | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.00% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 1.74% |
| 4 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 1.59% |
| 5 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 0.79% |
| 6 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 0.78% |
| 7 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 0.68% |
| 8 | SHEL | Shell plc | 0.62% |
| 9 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 0.59% |
| 10 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 0.58% |
| 1 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.83% |
| 2 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.49% |
| 3 | SHEL | Shell plc | 1.44% |
| 4 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 1.46% |
| 5 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 1.38% |
| 6 | 8306 | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 1.30% |
| 7 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 1.29% |
| 8 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 1.16% |
| 9 | BHP | BHP Group Ltd | 1.16% |
| 10 | SAN | Banco Santander S.A. | 1.07% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VXUS | VYMI |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 7.08% | 6.69% |
| Communication Services | 4.44% | 3.57% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.40% | 5.66% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.81% | 6.14% |
| Energy | 4.64% | 9.08% |
| Financial Services | 23.34% | 45.11% |
| Healthcare | 6.76% | 6.25% |
| Industrials | 14.57% | 6.53% |
| Real Estate | 2.18% | 1.11% |
| Technology | 22.12% | 5.58% |
| Utilities | 2.80% | 4.93% |
About VXUS
The manager employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, a float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance of companies located in developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. The fund invests all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in its target index.
About VYMI
Under normal circumstances,the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets,plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,in the stocks that make up the target index.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VXUS and VYMI are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, VYMI scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between VXUS and VYMI?
VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($161.41B vs $21.95B), dividend yield (2.35% vs 3.61%), and year-to-date performance (-3.62% vs +3.07%).
Is VXUS better than VYMI?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VXUS and VYMI on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VXUS and VYMI should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
Free newsletter · Every Saturday morning
The Saturday TSX Wrap
The week on the TSX, in five minutes.
- The biggest gainers and losers, and why they moved
- Sector and momentum moves at a glance
- The Canadian market stories you missed