Skip to content
All ETF Picks
ETF of the Week · Aug 25, 2026
VWOVanguardPassive / Index

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

Provides broad exposure to stocks of companies located in emerging markets around the world.

Why This Week?

VWO offers an extremely low-cost way to invest in the fast-growing economies of emerging markets like China, India, Taiwan, and Brazil. For investors building a globally diversified portfolio, emerging markets offer distinct demographic and growth advantages, though they come with higher geopolitical and currency risks compared to developed markets.

Key Metrics

Expense Ratio
0.08%
Holdings
~5,700+
Dividend Yield
~3.0%

Top Holdings

5 holdings shown. Weights are approximate.

#NameWeight
1
TSMTaiwan Semiconductor (TSMC)
~8%
2
700.HKTencent Holdings
~4%
3
BABAAlibaba Group
~2.5%
4
RELIANCE.NSReliance Industries
~1.5%
5
3690.HKMeituan
~1.0%

Pros & Cons

Strengths

  • Ultra-low expense ratio (0.08%) for international markets.
  • Massive diversification with over 5,700 companies.
  • Captures the long-term growth potential of developing economies like India and Taiwan.

Risks & Weaknesses

  • High exposure to China (~25-30%), which carries significant geopolitical and regulatory risk.
  • Currency risk against a strong US Dollar.
  • Historically underperformed the US market (S&P 500) over the last decade.

Alternatives Comparison

ETFNameTER
VWOThis WeekVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF0.08%
IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF0.09%
EMXCiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF0.25%

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

VWO tracks a FTSE index, which classifies South Korea as a 'developed' market. Competitor IEMG tracks an MSCI index, which classifies South Korea as 'emerging'. This is the main difference between the two funds.

Want to Explore Further?

VWO launched recently, so try backtesting SMH or SOXX as semiconductor proxies, or explore our ETF database for alternatives.

Disclaimer: ETF of the Week is educational content only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell, or an endorsement of any fund. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor before investing.