IWMI vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

IWMI (NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWMI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Neos, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. IWMI is actively managed, while VXUS is passively managed. Over the past year, IWMI returned 37.32% vs 34.05% for VXUS. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWMI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

IWMI vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF (IWMI) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IWMI having a 16.41% return and VXUS slightly lower at 15.66%.

IWMI

• 1D: 1.72%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: 16.41%
• 6M: 14.83%
• 1Y: 37.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VXUS

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 15.66%
• 6M: 16.85%
• 1Y: 34.05%
• 3Y*: 18.62%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IWMI vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IWMI NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF	16.41%	14.97%	6.58%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	15.66%	32.35%	-0.51%

Correlation

The correlation between IWMI and VXUS is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2024	0.69

The correlation between IWMI and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWMI vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWMI	VXUS
Industrials	17.7%	15.6%
Technology	17.0%	21.0%
Healthcare	16.5%	6.8%
Financial Services	15.7%	21.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	8.2%
Real Estate	6.1%	2.4%
Energy	6.1%	4.7%
Basic Materials	4.8%	7.6%
Utilities	2.9%	3.0%
Communication Services	2.4%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	4.8%

Return for Risk

IWMI vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IWMI

IWMI Risk / Return Rank: 82
IWMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
IWMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
IWMI Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IWMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
IWMI Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 65
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 65

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IWMI vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF (IWMI) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IWMI	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.06	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	2.81	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.43	2.94	+1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.24	11.32	+6.92

IWMI vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWMI Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWMI and VXUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IWMI vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWMI drawdown since its inception was -23.88%, smaller than the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWMI and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWMI	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.88%	-35.97%	+12.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.40%	-11.27%	+2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.58%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.44%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-8.20%	+4.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	2.92%	-0.89%

Volatility

IWMI vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF (IWMI) is 5.41%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 6.45%. This indicates that IWMI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWMI	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.41%	6.45%	-1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.46%	14.12%	-2.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	16.07%	-0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.97%	16.22%	+1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	17.20%	+0.77%

IWMI vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWMI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWMI vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

IWMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.51%, more than VXUS's 3.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWMI NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF	14.51%	14.05%	8.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.52%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWMI and VXUS in my portfolio?

IWMI and VXUS have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWMI or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (6.45%) compared to IWMI (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWMI dropped -23.88% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, IWMI or VXUS?

On 1-year performance, IWMI leads with 37.32% vs 34.05% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IWMI has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWMI or VXUS?

Over the 1-year period, IWMI has performed better with a 37.32% return vs 34.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWMI or VXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for IWMI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWMI or VXUS?

IWMI has the higher dividend yield at 14.51%, compared with 2.52% for VXUS.

What is the main difference between IWMI and VXUS?

IWMI is categorized as Derivative Income, while VXUS is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: Neos and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for IWMI and 0.05% for VXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.06), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.