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IXUS vs. FID
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXUS vs. FID

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) and FID (First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - IXUS tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net) while FID tracks the S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IXUS returned 8.29%/yr vs 7.59%/yr for FID. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FID.

Performance

IXUS vs. FID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXUS achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly higher than FID's 5.57% return.

IXUS

1D
-3.08%
1M
0.45%
YTD
12.74%
6M
12.52%
1Y
29.41%
3Y*
19.01%
5Y*
8.29%
10Y*
10.21%

FID

1D
-0.85%
1M
-2.23%
YTD
5.57%
6M
5.46%
1Y
18.04%
3Y*
17.19%
5Y*
7.59%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXUS vs. FID - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		12.74%32.40%5.19%15.83%-16.47%8.86%10.80%21.71%-12.58%
FID
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF		5.57%32.07%5.42%9.92%-9.69%12.90%-7.56%20.82%-7.38%

Correlation

The correlation between IXUS and FID is 0.80, 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

0.80

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.81

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2018

0.77

The correlation between IXUS and FID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXUS vs. FID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXUS
FID

Technology

30.5%
6.3%

Financial Services

23.8%
20.4%

Industrials

11.3%
13.6%

Healthcare

6.5%
3.4%

Consumer Cyclical

5.6%
3.8%

Basic Materials

5.0%
4.4%

Energy

4.4%
7.9%

Communication Services

4.2%
11.3%

Consumer Defensive

3.9%
3.7%

Utilities

1.9%
16.3%

Real Estate

0.2%
9.1%

Technology

IXUS
30.5%
FID
6.3%

Financial Services

IXUS
23.8%
FID
20.4%

Industrials

IXUS
11.3%
FID
13.6%

Healthcare

IXUS
6.5%
FID
3.4%

Consumer Cyclical

IXUS
5.6%
FID
3.8%

Basic Materials

IXUS
5.0%
FID
4.4%

Energy

IXUS
4.4%
FID
7.9%

Communication Services

IXUS
4.2%
FID
11.3%

Consumer Defensive

IXUS
3.9%
FID
3.7%

Utilities

IXUS
1.9%
FID
16.3%

Real Estate

IXUS
0.2%
FID
9.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF

Often compared with IXUS:
IXUS vs. VXUSIXUS vs. ITOTIXUS vs. VEAIXUS vs. SCHFIXUS vs. ACWXIXUS vs. IEFAIXUS vs. IEMG
Often compared with FID:
FID vs. IGROFID vs. EFAVFID vs. KNGFID vs. VIGFID vs. VIGIFID vs. FDFIXFID vs. BRK-B

Return for Risk

IXUS vs. FID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXUS
IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
FID
FID Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
FID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FID Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
FID Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
FID Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
FID Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IXUS vs. FID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID). 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.

IXUSFIDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.79
1.76

+0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.44
2.48

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.31

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.60

2.03

+0.57

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.00

6.97

+3.03

IXUS vs. FID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the FID Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXUS and FID, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IXUS vs. FID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXUS drawdown since its inception was -36.22%, smaller than the maximum FID drawdown of -39.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXUS and FID.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXUSFIDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-36.22%

-39.79%

+3.57%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.36%

-8.93%

-2.43%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.75%

-10.97%

-2.78%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.03%

-29.13%

-0.90%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.22%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.08%

-3.84%

+0.76%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.48%

-8.43%

+0.95%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.95%

2.59%

+0.36%

Volatility

IXUS vs. FID - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a higher volatility of 7.22% compared to First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) at 3.41%. This indicates that IXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXUSFIDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.22%

3.41%

+3.81%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.64%

8.58%

+6.06%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.56%

10.33%

+6.23%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.45%

17.05%

-0.60%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.97%

18.92%

-1.95%

IXUS vs. FID - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than FID's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXUS vs. FID - Dividend Comparison

IXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, less than FID's 4.14% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FID
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF		4.14%4.30%4.31%4.19%4.22%3.76%3.91%3.70%1.74%0.00%0.00%0.00%
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		2.98%3.24%3.33%3.13%2.48%3.12%1.85%3.09%3.00%2.41%2.58%2.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXUS and FID have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IXUS has higher volatility (7.22%) compared to FID (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXUS dropped -36.22% vs FID's -39.79%.

On 5-year performance, IXUS leads with 8.29% vs 7.59% for FID. On fees, IXUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, FID has been the lower-risk option at 3.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, IXUS has performed better with a 8.29% return vs 7.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IXUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FID.

FID has the higher dividend yield at 4.14%, compared with 2.98% for IXUS.

IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net), while FID tracks S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IXUS and 0.60% for FID.

IXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.76), 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.

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