VEA vs. IXUS: Choosing Between Cheaper Developed‑Market Exposure and Broader International Reach

Overview

• VEA charges 0.03% and targets developed non‑U.S. markets, giving a lower fee option for core international exposure.
• IXUS charges 0.07% and includes emerging markets, which raises its geographic coverage and the fund's trailing payout and yield.
• The funds differ in scale and holdings with VEA holding about 3,875 stocks and IXUS about 4,476 stocks, which drives their country and sector weight differences.
• IXUS shows a higher trailing 12‑month distribution (about $2.80, roughly 2.9% yield) versus VEA (about $1.81, roughly 2.5% yield), a factor for income-focused investors.
• Both ETFs concentrate in a few large non‑U.S. tech and semiconductor names such as Samsung and TSMC, so investors must weigh fee savings against diversification, payout needs, and overlap with U.S. tech holdings.