VXUS vs. IXUS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while IXUS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 9.86%/yr vs 9.89%/yr for IXUS. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IXUS.

Performance

VXUS vs. IXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) 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 investments are quite close, with VXUS having a 15.39% return and IXUS slightly higher at 15.68%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VXUS having a 9.86% annualized return and IXUS not far ahead at 9.89%.

VXUS

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 15.39%
• 6M: 18.56%
• 1Y: 32.67%
• 3Y*: 19.70%
• 5Y*: 8.88%
• 10Y*: 9.86%

IXUS

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 5.03%
• YTD: 15.68%
• 6M: 18.71%
• 1Y: 32.90%
• 3Y*: 19.85%
• 5Y*: 8.80%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

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

VXUS vs. IXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	15.39%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	15.68%	32.40%	5.19%	15.83%	-16.47%	8.86%	10.80%	21.71%	-14.41%	28.12%

Correlation

The correlation between VXUS and IXUS is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.99

The correlation between VXUS and IXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VXUS vs. IXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VXUS	IXUS
Financial Services	22.3%	22.4%
Technology	18.1%	18.0%
Industrials	16.1%	15.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	8.3%
Basic Materials	7.6%	7.6%
Healthcare	7.1%	7.1%
Energy	5.2%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	5.1%
Communication Services	4.4%	4.8%
Utilities	3.2%	3.2%
Real Estate	2.6%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VXUS vs. IXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 63
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 65

IXUS

IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 63
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IXUS 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.

VXUS vs. IXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) 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.

	VXUS	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.16	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	2.96	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.40	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.02	0.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.82	11.86	-0.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXUS vs. IXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the IXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXUS 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

	VXUS	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.16	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.55	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.58	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.50	-0.11

Drawdowns

VXUS vs. IXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, roughly equal to the maximum IXUS drawdown of -36.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and IXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXUS	IXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.97%	-36.22%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.27%	-11.36%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	-13.75%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.44%	-30.04%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	-36.22%	+0.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.22%	-7.51%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	2.90%	-0.02%

Volatility

VXUS vs. IXUS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) have volatilities of 5.57% and 5.62%, 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

	VXUS	IXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	5.62%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.97%	13.12%	-0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.19%	15.36%	-0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	16.21%	-0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.16%	17.07%	+0.09%

VXUS vs. IXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IXUS's 0.09% 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

VXUS vs. IXUS - Dividend Comparison

VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, less than IXUS's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	2.80%	3.24%	3.33%	3.13%	2.48%	3.12%	1.85%	3.09%	3.00%	2.41%	2.58%	2.81%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.63%	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 VXUS and IXUS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VXUS 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, VXUS or IXUS?

IXUS has higher volatility (5.62%) compared to VXUS (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs IXUS's -36.22%.

Which ETF is better, VXUS or IXUS?

On 10-year performance, IXUS leads with 9.89% vs 9.86% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% 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, VXUS or IXUS?

Over the 10-year period, IXUS has performed better with a 9.89% return vs 9.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXUS or IXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for IXUS.

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

IXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 2.63% for VXUS.

What is the main difference between VXUS and IXUS?

VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while IXUS is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.09% for IXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.16), 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.