IXUS vs VXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IXUS or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IXUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $59.2B | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.88% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 4,623 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +12.78%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +18.30%Best | +18.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.63%Best | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.63% | +9.67%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9%Tie | -39.9%Tie |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,836 | $15,865Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2012 to Oct 2, 2026 (13.9 years).
IXUS vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 13.9 years both funds cover.
IXUS vs VXUS Performance
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IXUS returned +18.30% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, IXUS is up 12.78% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, IXUS compounded at +21.63% per year against +21.40% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.63% and +9.67% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, IXUS has the edge at +6.14% annualized vs +5.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 14.2% for IXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -39.9% for IXUS and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IXUS charges 0.07% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IXUS currently yields 2.88% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.2% of IXUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
3,168 positions in common, counted across the 4,429 positions we hold weights for in IXUS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 4,623 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IXUS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 1.71% | 1.41% | 0.30% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.83% | 0.82% | 0.01% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.66% | 0.66% | 0.00% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.58% | 0.65% | 0.07% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.61% | 0.57% | 0.04% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.53% | 0.62% | 0.09% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.56% | 0.58% | 0.02% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.55% | 0.57% | 0.02% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 0.51% | 0.54% | 0.03% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.46% | 0.45% | 0.01% |
66.2% of IXUS is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IXUS or VXUS?
IXUS has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IXUS or VXUS?
Over the past year IXUS returned +18.30% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so IXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IXUS annualized +6.14% vs +5.94% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXUS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 14.2% for IXUS. Worst drawdown: IXUS -39.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IXUS and VXUS?
IXUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IXUS and VXUS?
At least 66.2% of IXUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3,168 positions in common, counted across the 4,429 positions we hold weights for in IXUS and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXUS or VXUS?
IXUS yields 2.88% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.