iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF — how do they compare? iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF trades at $80.87, while Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF trades at $87.44. The key difference: Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| IEMG | VXUS | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $86.00 | $87.21 |
52-Week Low | $61.76 | $70.87 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
IEMG trades at $81.10, up 1.93% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF shows strong momentum with 35% trailing returns but faces elevated volatility. Recent news highlights IEMG's 40% technology weighting and AI exposure in emerging markets, though some analysts caution about concentration risks after significant gains.
The outlook remains positive given attractive emerging market valuations and AI-driven growth potential, but investors should monitor volatility and geopolitical risks. The ETF's low 0.09% expense ratio and diversification across 2,700 stocks provide cost-effective exposure to developing economies with superior dividend growth prospects.
VXUS, the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF, trades at $87.72, up 1.02% on the day, with a bullish technical signal driven by strong moving average alignment. Recent news highlights its role in global diversification, with a 27.82% total return over the past year noted by Seeking Alpha on August 8, 2026. The ETF offers exposure to over 8,700 non-U.S. stocks, attracting institutional interest, though RSI levels suggest potential near-term overbought conditions.
The outlook for VXUS is supported by its valuation discount to U.S. equities and broad diversification benefits, but risks include global economic sensitivity and inflationary pressures. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with some advocating buys for long-term portfolios while others caution on growth-inflation dynamics. Institutional holdings have increased, reflecting confidence in international market exposure.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index, providing broad exposure to large, mid, and small-cap stocks across over 20 emerging market countries. It is designed as a low-cost core holding for investors seeking diversified growth from economies outside of developed markets.
Read more on IEMG →VXUS is a comprehensive, low-cost ETF that tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, providing exposure to over 8,500 stocks in both developed and emerging markets outside the United States. It serves as a foundational building block for international diversification, allowing investors to own a market-cap-weighted slice of the entire non-U.S. investable equity universe in a single vehicle.
Read more on VXUS →