VEA Stock: Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF Profile & Analysis (2026)
A low-cost index fund offering massive diversification across thousands of companies in established non-U.S. markets. — Updated May 2026 with current AUM, expense ratio, holdings, and performance data.
VEA stock is a cornerstone for investors seeking broad exposure to developed economies outside of the United States. Managed by Vanguard, this ETF tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, providing a window into thousands of companies across Europe, the Pacific region, and Canada. By holding VEA, investors gain instant access to global leaders in the tech sector, including a complete list of semiconductor companies that dominate the international landscape, such as ASML and Samsung.
The fund is particularly prized for its rock-bottom expense ratio of 0.03%, making it one of the most efficient ways to build a global portfolio. While some traders prefer the volatility of micro cap oil stocks, VEA offers a more stable, large-cap-oriented approach. It also features heavy weights in consumer staples, mirroring many of the giants found in the complete list of food & beverage companies, ensuring that investors are backed by established brands with global revenue streams.
Key Takeaways — VEA Stock
With an expense ratio of just 0.03%, VEA is among the cheapest international ETFs in existence, maximizing long-term compounding.
The fund provides exposure to over 3,800 stocks across major developed markets like Japan, the UK, France, and Canada.
VEA is a reliable source of yield, often outperforming U.S.-based broad market funds in terms of annual dividend distributions.
Unlike some competitors, VEA includes small-cap stocks, providing a more complete representation of the international developed market.
VEA — Live Price Chart
Real-time chart from TradingView.
VEA ETF Vitals & Key Statistics
Core data as of May 2026.
| Data Point | Value | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | Ticker | VEA |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Asset Class | International Equity |
| Index Tracked | FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index | Structure | ETF |
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | AUM | $231.1B |
| Inception Date | July 20, 2007 | Exchange | AMEX |
| No. of Holdings | 3,875 | Dividend Yield | 3.24% |
| 52-Week High | $71.12 | 52-Week Low | $59.45 |
| Avg Daily Volume | 8.9M shares | YTD Return | 5.12% |
| 1-Year Return | 11.40% | 5-Year Return | 32.10% |
| Category | Foreign Large Blend | Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
VEA Top 10 Holdings (May 2026)
Largest positions by weight. Click columns to sort.
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMSN | Samsung Electronics | Technology | 2.26% |
| 2 | ASML | ASML Holding NV | Technology | 1.78% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix | Technology | 1.54% |
| 4 | NESN | Nestlé S.A. | Consumer Staples | 1.17% |
| 5 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings | Financials | 1.00% |
| 6 | 7203 | Toyota Motor Corp | Consumer Discretionary | 0.95% |
| 7 | ROG | Roche Holding AG | Healthcare | 0.91% |
| 8 | AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | Healthcare | 0.88% |
| 9 | NOVN | Novartis AG | Healthcare | 0.84% |
| 10 | SHEL | Shell PLC | Energy | 0.81% |
VEA — Pros & Cons
✓ Industry-Leading Expense Ratio
At 0.03%, it is virtually impossible to find a cheaper way to diversify into thousands of international stocks.
✗ Currency Exchange Risk
Because the fund holds assets in foreign currencies, a strengthening U.S. Dollar can drag down returns for domestic investors.
✓ Comprehensive Exposure
Includes Canada and small-cap stocks, providing a more “complete” market picture than MSCI-based competitors.
✗ No Emerging Markets
Investors seeking exposure to high-growth regions like India or Brazil will need to look elsewhere, as VEA focuses only on developed nations.
✓ High Liquidity
With hundreds of billions in AUM, VEA offers tight bid-ask spreads and high trading volume for investors of all sizes.
✗ Geopolitical Sensitivity
The fund is heavily concentrated in Europe and Japan, making it sensitive to regional economic shifts or policy changes.
Who Should Consider VEA?
Long-term passive investors who want a low-cost, set-it-and-forget-it international foundation for their equity portfolio.
Investors specifically looking for high-growth emerging markets or those who want to hedge against a weakening global economy.
U.S. equity valuations seem stretched and you want to rebalance into markets with more attractive P/E ratios.
Highly tax-efficient, making it suitable for both taxable brokerage accounts and tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
VEA vs Similar ETFs
Key metrics comparison.
| ETF | Full Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Holdings | Div Yield | YTD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VEA ★ | Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 0.03% | $231.1B | 3,875 | 3.24% | 5.12% | Lowest Overall Cost |
| IEFA | iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 0.07% | $112B | 2,600 | 2.95% | 4.80% | Excluding Canada/SK |
| SCHF | Schwab International Equity ETF | 0.06% | $39B | 1,100 | 3.05% | 4.95% | Large/Mid Cap Focus |
| SPDW | SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex US | 0.04% | $23B | 2,400 | 3.10% | 5.05% | Broad Diversification |
VEA Technical Analysis
Real-time buy/sell signals.
VEA — Risks & Considerations
Economic Concentration
While diversified across thousands of stocks, the fund has heavy weightings in Japan and Europe, making it vulnerable to regional economic stagnation.
Currency Fluctuations
Returns are translated from local currencies into USD; if the dollar is strong, your international returns may be significantly muted.
Sector Heavyweighting
Developed markets often have higher exposure to financials and industrials compared to the tech-heavy U.S. market, leading to different growth profiles.
Geopolitical Stability
Changes in trade agreements or regional conflicts in Europe or Asia can lead to sudden volatility in international equity prices.