VEA vs. IXUS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - VEA tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index while IXUS tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.13%/yr vs 9.72%/yr for IXUS. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IXUS.

Performance

VEA vs. IXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). 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 VEA having a 15.19% return and IXUS slightly lower at 14.67%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEA having a 10.13% annualized return and IXUS not far behind at 9.72%.

VEA

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 4.15%
• YTD: 15.19%
• 6M: 18.13%
• 1Y: 32.11%
• 3Y*: 20.11%
• 5Y*: 9.65%
• 10Y*: 10.13%

IXUS

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 3.59%
• YTD: 14.67%
• 6M: 17.05%
• 1Y: 31.47%
• 3Y*: 19.69%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

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

VEA vs. IXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	15.19%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	14.67%	32.40%	5.19%	15.83%	-16.47%	8.86%	10.80%	21.71%	-14.41%	28.12%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and IXUS is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.97

The correlation between VEA and IXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEA vs. IXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEA	IXUS
Financial Services	23.3%	22.4%
Industrials	19.2%	15.9%
Technology	13.8%	18.0%
Healthcare	8.2%	7.1%
Basic Materials	7.5%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	5.1%
Energy	5.4%	5.2%
Communication Services	3.4%	4.8%
Utilities	3.3%	3.2%
Real Estate	2.7%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VEA vs. IXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 61
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 61

IXUS

IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 62
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

VEA vs. IXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) 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.

	VEA	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.06	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.84	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.38	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.78	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.82	10.89	-0.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEA vs. IXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the IXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA 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

	VEA	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.06	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.52	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.57	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.49	-0.25

Drawdowns

VEA vs. IXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than IXUS's maximum drawdown of -36.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and IXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	IXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-36.22%	-24.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-11.36%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-13.75%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-30.04%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	-36.22%	+0.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.87%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.29%	-7.50%	-5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	2.90%	+0.08%

Volatility

VEA vs. IXUS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) have volatilities of 5.49% and 5.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	IXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	5.50%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.32%	13.16%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.64%	15.36%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.54%	16.21%	+0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.35%	17.07%	+0.28%

VEA vs. IXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VEA vs. IXUS - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than IXUS's 2.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	2.82%	3.24%	3.33%	3.13%	2.48%	3.12%	1.85%	3.09%	3.00%	2.41%	2.58%	2.81%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.61%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEA and IXUS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, VEA and IXUS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEA or IXUS?

IXUS has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to VEA (5.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs IXUS's -36.22%.

Which ETF is better, VEA or IXUS?

On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.13% vs 9.72% for IXUS. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEA or IXUS?

Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.13% return vs 9.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEA or IXUS?

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

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

IXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 2.61% for VEA.

What is the main difference between VEA and IXUS?

VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.07% for IXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 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.