VFWAX vs. VEMAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VFWAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VEMAX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFWAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US Index, while VEMAX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFWAX returned 10.14%/yr vs 8.79%/yr for VEMAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFWAX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VEMAX.

Performance

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFWAX achieves a 13.24% return, which is significantly higher than VEMAX's 9.86% return. Over the past 10 years, VFWAX has outperformed VEMAX with an annualized return of 10.14%, while VEMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.79% annualized return.

VFWAX

• 1D: 3.19%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 13.24%
• 6M: 15.08%
• 1Y: 29.72%
• 3Y*: 18.68%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

VEMAX

• 1D: 2.25%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 9.86%
• 6M: 11.36%
• 1Y: 25.51%
• 3Y*: 16.48%
• 5Y*: 4.76%
• 10Y*: 8.79%

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

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFWAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.24%	32.32%	5.43%	15.55%	-15.51%	8.08%	11.34%	21.53%	-13.97%	27.20%
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.86%	24.76%	11.34%	8.82%	-17.79%	0.85%	15.24%	20.29%	-14.59%	31.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VFWAX and VEMAX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2011	0.86

The correlation between VFWAX and VEMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFWAX	VEMAX
Financial Services	23.3%	19.5%
Technology	18.5%	29.6%
Industrials	15.7%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	10.7%
Basic Materials	7.1%	8.0%
Healthcare	7.1%	3.9%
Energy	5.2%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	3.7%
Communication Services	4.6%	7.1%
Utilities	3.2%	2.9%
Real Estate	2.0%	2.2%

Return for Risk

VFWAX vs. VEMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFWAX

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

VEMAX

VEMAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VEMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VEMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VEMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VEMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VEMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX). 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.

	VFWAX	VEMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.59	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.22	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.29	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	2.15	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.81	7.83	+1.98

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFWAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the VEMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFWAX and VEMAX, 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

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFWAX drawdown since its inception was -34.93%, smaller than the maximum VEMAX drawdown of -66.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFWAX and VEMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFWAX	VEMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.93%	-66.45%	+31.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.34%	-11.05%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.25%	-15.78%	+2.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.30%	-32.46%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.93%	-36.11%	+1.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.19%	-3.60%	+1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.18%	-16.10%	+8.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	3.03%	-0.10%

Volatility

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX) has a higher volatility of 6.53% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) at 6.17%. This indicates that VFWAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFWAX	VEMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.53%	6.17%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	12.65%	+0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.30%	14.97%	+0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.36%	15.50%	-0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.13%	16.49%	-0.36%

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFWAX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than VEMAX's 0.13% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFWAX vs. VEMAX - Dividend Comparison

VFWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, more than VEMAX's 2.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.42%	2.74%	3.13%	3.47%	4.05%	2.57%	1.87%	3.20%	2.85%	2.31%	2.51%	3.25%
VFWAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.60%	3.05%	3.20%	3.28%	3.07%	3.03%	1.97%	3.07%	3.24%	2.67%	2.96%	2.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFWAX and VEMAX in my portfolio?

VFWAX and VEMAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFWAX or VEMAX?

VFWAX has higher volatility (6.53%) compared to VEMAX (6.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFWAX dropped -34.93% vs VEMAX's -66.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.59), 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.