Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Vanguard • International Equity
Expense Ratio
0.07%
AUM
$74.0B
Dividend Yield
3.10%
Inception
2011
Beginner Score
9.5/10
What is Vanguard Total International Stock ETF?
VXUS provides exposure to stocks from developed and emerging markets outside the United States, covering over 8,000 companies across Europe, Asia, and the rest of the world. It is the most popular way to add international diversification to a U.S.-focused portfolio. Beginners building a globally diversified portfolio often pair VXUS with VTI to own virtually every publicly traded stock in the world.
VXUS is managed by Vanguard and has been available since 2011. With $74.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.07%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $7 per year in management fees.
VXUS at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% |
| Total Holdings | 8,537 |
| P/E Ratio | 15.4 |
| Beta | 0.85 |
| Dividend Yield | 3.10% |
| AUM | $74.0B |
| Inception Year | 2011 |
| Issuer | Vanguard |
Top 10 Holdings in VXUS
VXUS holds 8,537 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. | TSM | 2.30% |
| 2 | Novo Nordisk A/S | NVO | 1.60% |
| 3 | Samsung Electronics Co. | 005930.KS | 1.40% |
| 4 | ASML Holding NV | ASML | 1.30% |
| 5 | Nestle SA | NSRGY | 1.10% |
| 6 | Toyota Motor Corp. | TM | 1.00% |
| 7 | Tencent Holdings Ltd. | TCEHY | 1.00% |
| 8 | SAP SE | SAP | 0.90% |
| 9 | Roche Holding AG | RHHBY | 0.90% |
| 10 | AstraZeneca PLC | AZN | 0.80% |
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VXUS Performance History
Here's how VXUS has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
2.20%
1 Year
9.80%
3 Year
3.20%
5 Year
5.50%
10 Year
4.80%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
VXUS scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 8,537 holdings, and has been available since 2011, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy VXUS — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "VXUS" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Vanguard Total International Stock ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into VXUS
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With VXUS's expense ratio of 0.07%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $600 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of VXUS
Pros
- ✓Massive diversification with over 8,000 international stocks across 40+ countries
- ✓Very low 0.07% expense ratio for international exposure
- ✓Includes both developed markets (Europe, Japan) and emerging markets (China, India, Brazil)
- ✓Higher dividend yield than U.S. stock ETFs due to international dividend practices
Cons
- ✗Has significantly underperformed U.S. stocks over the past decade
- ✗Exposed to currency risk as foreign stock returns are affected by exchange rate fluctuations
- ✗Emerging market holdings add political and regulatory risk
VXUS vs Similar ETFs
See how VXUS stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VXUS a good ETF for beginners?▾
VXUS has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of VXUS?▾
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.07%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $7 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in VXUS?▾
You can invest in VXUS with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does VXUS pay dividends?▾
Yes, VXUS pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 3.10%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in VXUS?▾
The top holdings in VXUS include Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. (2.30%), Novo Nordisk A/S (1.60%), Samsung Electronics Co. (1.40%), and more. The fund holds 8,537 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.