MNCEX vs. IXUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MNCEX (Mercer Non-US Core Equity Fund) and IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, MNCEX returned 9.91%/yr vs 8.38%/yr for IXUS. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MNCEX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IXUS.

Performance

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mercer Non-US Core Equity Fund (MNCEX) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MNCEX achieves a 10.30% return, which is significantly lower than IXUS's 14.51% return.

MNCEX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 10.30%
• 6M: 13.02%
• 1Y: 25.18%
• 3Y*: 20.47%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: —

IXUS

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 14.51%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 19.44%
• 5Y*: 8.38%
• 10Y*: 9.78%

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

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MNCEX Mercer Non-US Core Equity Fund	10.30%	37.46%	6.24%	18.86%	-16.89%	11.36%	9.63%	10.44%
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	14.51%	32.40%	5.19%	15.83%	-16.47%	8.86%	10.80%	12.25%

Correlation

The correlation between MNCEX and IXUS is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2019	0.82

The correlation between MNCEX and IXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MNCEX vs. IXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

MNCEX

MNCEX Risk / Return Rank: 43
MNCEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
MNCEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
MNCEX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
MNCEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
MNCEX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

IXUS

IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mercer Non-US Core Equity Fund (MNCEX) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). 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.

	MNCEX	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.10	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	2.89	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.39	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	2.84	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.73	11.13	-2.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MNCEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the IXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MNCEX and IXUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MNCEX	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.10	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.52	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.49	+0.19

Drawdowns

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MNCEX drawdown since its inception was -32.79%, smaller than the maximum IXUS drawdown of -36.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MNCEX and IXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	MNCEX	IXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.79%	-36.22%	+3.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-11.36%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.79%	-13.75%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.57%	-30.04%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-1.01%	+0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.70%	-7.50%	+0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.90%	+0.21%

Volatility

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Mercer Non-US Core Equity Fund (MNCEX) is 4.45%, while iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that MNCEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MNCEX	IXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.45%	5.64%	-1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.98%	13.16%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.75%	15.37%	-0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.93%	16.21%	-0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.24%	17.07%	+1.17%

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

MNCEX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than IXUS's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

MNCEX vs. IXUS - Dividend Comparison

MNCEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.37%, more than IXUS's 2.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	2.83%	3.24%	3.33%	3.13%	2.48%	3.12%	1.85%	3.09%	3.00%	2.41%	2.58%	2.81%
MNCEX Mercer Non-US Core Equity Fund	12.37%	13.64%	8.97%	3.60%	3.14%	18.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MNCEX and IXUS in my portfolio?

MNCEX and IXUS have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MNCEX or IXUS?

IXUS has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to MNCEX (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MNCEX dropped -32.79% vs IXUS's -36.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.96), 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.