IXUS vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXUS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net), while ITOT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXUS returned 10.55%/yr vs 15.26%/yr for ITOT. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

IXUS vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXUS achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly higher than ITOT's 10.37% return. Over the past 10 years, IXUS has underperformed ITOT with an annualized return of 10.55%, while ITOT has yielded a comparatively higher 15.26% annualized return.

IXUS

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 3.64%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 6M: 16.81%
• 1Y: 34.59%
• 3Y*: 20.26%
• 5Y*: 9.16%
• 10Y*: 10.55%

ITOT

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 10.37%
• 6M: 9.62%
• 1Y: 27.18%
• 3Y*: 21.20%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 15.26%

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

IXUS vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	16.32%	32.40%	5.19%	15.83%	-16.47%	8.86%	10.80%	21.71%	-14.41%	28.12%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	10.37%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	30.67%	-5.33%	21.37%

Correlation

The correlation between IXUS and ITOT is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012	0.80

The correlation between IXUS and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXUS vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IXUS	ITOT
Technology	30.5%	37.2%
Financial Services	23.8%	11.4%
Industrials	11.3%	9.1%
Healthcare	6.5%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	9.8%
Basic Materials	5.0%	2.0%
Energy	4.4%	3.3%
Communication Services	4.2%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	4.3%
Utilities	1.9%	2.1%
Real Estate	0.2%	2.3%

Return for Risk

IXUS vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IXUS

IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 67
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 66

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	IXUS	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.14	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	2.89	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.07	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.79	13.65	-1.87

IXUS vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXUS and ITOT, 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

IXUS vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXUS drawdown since its inception was -36.22%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXUS and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXUS	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.22%	-55.20%	+18.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.36%	-8.90%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.75%	-19.44%	+5.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.03%	-25.36%	-4.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.22%	-35.00%	-1.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.51%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-6.96%	-0.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.94%	2.00%	+0.94%

Volatility

IXUS vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a higher volatility of 6.43% compared to iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) at 4.78%. This indicates that IXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IXUS	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.43%	4.78%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.30%	9.98%	+4.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.28%	12.80%	+3.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.39%	17.45%	-1.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.10%	18.31%	-1.21%

IXUS vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IXUS vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

IXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.88%, more than ITOT's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	2.88%	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

Can I hold both IXUS and ITOT in my portfolio?

IXUS and ITOT have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IXUS or ITOT?

IXUS has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to ITOT (4.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXUS dropped -36.22% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, IXUS or ITOT?

On 10-year performance, ITOT leads with 15.26% vs 10.55% for IXUS. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ITOT has been the lower-risk option at 4.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IXUS or ITOT?

Over the 10-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 15.26% return vs 10.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXUS or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IXUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IXUS or ITOT?

IXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.88%, compared with 1.01% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between IXUS and ITOT?

IXUS is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while ITOT is Large Cap Blend Equities. IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net), while ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IXUS and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 2.14), 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.