EIRL vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Ireland ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EIRL or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EIRL led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EIRL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $79M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.36% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 33 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.26%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +30.81%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.25% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.42% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,981 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 5, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
EIRL vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 15.6 years both funds cover.
EIRL vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Ireland ETF (EIRL) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EIRL returned +30.81% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, EIRL is up 16.26% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, EIRL compounded at +17.25% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.42% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EIRL has the edge at +10.18% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EIRL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -48.3% for EIRL and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EIRL charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EIRL currently yields 2.36% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 32.8% of EIRL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
7 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in EIRL and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 33 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EIRL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIRG:IEBank of Ireland Group PLC Ordinary Stock Units Eur 1.00 | 14.74% | 0.04% | 14.70% |
| KRX:IEKingspan Group plc Ordinary Shares | 4.72% | 0.03% | 4.69% |
| RYA:IERyanair Holdings PLC Ordinary Shares | 4.59% | 0.02% | 4.57% |
| GFTU:LNGrafton Group Plc Each Unit Representing 1 Ordinary Share | 3.93% | 0.00% | 3.93% |
| AV:LNAviva Plc | 3.19% | 0.06% | 3.13% |
| CCR:LNC&c Group Plc | 1.49% | 0.00% | 1.49% |
| FCL:AUFineos Corp Holdings Plc | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.18% |
32.8% of EIRL is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EIRL or VXUS?
EIRL has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EIRL or VXUS?
Over the past year EIRL returned +30.81% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so EIRL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EIRL annualized +10.18% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EIRL or VXUS?
EIRL has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: EIRL -48.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EIRL and VXUS?
EIRL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EIRL and VXUS?
At least 32.8% of EIRL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in EIRL and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EIRL or VXUS?
EIRL yields 2.36% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EIRL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EIRL led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.