VEUSX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VEUSX (Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - VEUSX is a Europe Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, VEUSX returned 10.24%/yr vs 11.09%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEUSX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

VEUSX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEUSX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEUSX achieves a 5.86% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.71% return. Over the past 10 years, VEUSX has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 10.24%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 11.09% annualized return.

VEUSX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.55%
• YTD: 5.86%
• 6M: 5.69%
• 1Y: 17.82%
• 3Y*: 16.55%
• 5Y*: 8.45%
• 10Y*: 10.24%

VEA

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: 14.71%
• 6M: 14.32%
• 1Y: 31.05%
• 3Y*: 19.91%
• 5Y*: 9.74%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VEUSX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEUSX Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.86%	35.41%	2.01%	19.99%	-16.06%	16.28%	6.43%	24.22%	-14.81%	27.04%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.71%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VEUSX and VEA is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.95

The correlation between VEUSX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEUSX vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEUSX	VEA
Financial Services	23.5%	22.3%
Industrials	20.3%	17.5%
Healthcare	12.4%	7.6%
Technology	9.4%	16.6%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	5.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	7.4%
Basic Materials	5.6%	7.5%
Energy	5.0%	4.7%
Utilities	4.4%	3.0%
Communication Services	3.1%	3.2%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VEUSX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VEUSX

VEUSX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VEUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VEUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
VEUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VEUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VEUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 65
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 65

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VEUSX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEUSX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VEUSX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	1.86	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	2.53	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.34	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	2.68	-1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.33	10.30	-4.97

VEUSX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEUSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEUSX and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VEUSX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEUSX drawdown since its inception was -63.28%, roughly equal to the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEUSX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEUSX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.28%	-60.68%	-2.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-11.63%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.96%	-13.45%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-29.71%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.87%	-35.73%	-1.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.27%	-1.70%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.93%	-13.25%	+0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	3.02%	+0.22%

Volatility

VEUSX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEUSX) is 4.86%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.94%. This indicates that VEUSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEUSX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.86%	6.94%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.13%	14.77%	-1.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.62%	16.78%	-1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	16.77%	+0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	17.20%	+0.67%

VEUSX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEUSX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VEUSX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

VEUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.94%, more than VEA's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.55%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%
VEUSX Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.94%	2.84%	3.58%	3.13%	3.22%	3.02%	2.08%	3.26%	3.92%	2.70%	3.52%	3.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEUSX and VEA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VEUSX and VEA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEUSX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (6.94%) compared to VEUSX (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEUSX dropped -63.28% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.11), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.