Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTBrendan Coffey, The Motley FoolSat, July 4, 2026 at 4:35 PM GMT+2 5 min readInvestors choosing between Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEMKT:VT) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (NYSEMKT:SPDW) must decide whether to include U.S. equities in a single global fund or separate them for tactical control.Both funds serve as core building blocks for international exposure. While VT covers approximately 98% of the world's investable market capitalization, SPDW focuses on developed markets outside the U.S., allowing investors to pair it with domestic-only funds to customize their geographic allocation.Snapshot (cost & size)MetricSPDWVTIssuerSPDRVanguardShare price$49.76 (as of 2026-07-01)$156.12 (as of 2026-07-01)Expense ratio0.03%0.06%1-yr return (as of 2026-07-01)27%23.6%Dividend yield3.00%1.60%Beta0.830.92AUM$40.3B$95.3BBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield calculated on the July 1 closing price.Cost-conscious investors may prefer the State Street fund, which carries a razor-thin 0.03% expense ratio. The Vanguard fund's 0.06% fee is also remarkably low for a global fund, though its 1.60% yield is significantly lower than the 3.00% payout from the ex-U.S. option.Performance & risk comparisonMetricSPDWVTMax drawdown (5 yr)(30.20%)(26.40%)Growth of $1,000 over 5 years (total return)$1,572$1,653What's insideThe Vanguard Total World Stock ETF provides exposure to 10,024 holdings across developed and emerging markets. Its sector allocation is heavily tilted toward technology at 31.1%, followed by financial services at 15.2% and industrials at 11.4%. Its largest positions include Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) at 4.2%, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) at 3.8%, and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) at 2.8%. It was launched in 2008. The fund has paid $2.48 per share over the trailing 12 months, which on its recent $156.12 share price works out to a 1.6% yield.The State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF focuses on non-U.S. developed markets with 2,416 holdings. Sector weights differ significantly, with financial services at 22.2%, industrials at 18.4%, and technology at 16.8%. Its largest positions include Samsung Electronics GDRs at 3.1%, Sk Hynix Inc (KOSE:A000660) at 2.5%, and Asml Holding Nv (NASDAQ:ASML) at 1.8%. It was launched in 2007. The fund has paid $1.52 per share over the trailing 12 months, which, on its recent $49.76 share price, works out to a 3% yield.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info