IALT vs VXUS
iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IALT or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | IALT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5.7B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.39% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,311 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.08%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | - | +22.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
IALT 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IALT vs VXUS Performance
iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, IALT is up 15.08% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IALT charges 0.99% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $5 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IALT currently yields 0.39% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 32.2% of IALT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
499 positions in common, counted across the 1,584 positions we hold weights for in IALT and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 2,311 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IALT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Adr Representing Nv | 0.23% | 1.70% | 1.47% |
| ISP:MIIntesa Sanpaolo SpA Shs | 0.77% | 0.23% | 0.54% |
| SHELShell plc | 0.39% | 0.48% | 0.09% |
| SU:CASuncor Energy Inc | 0.73% | 0.14% | 0.59% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 0.35% | 0.48% | 0.13% |
| CS:CACapstone Copper Corp | 0.82% | 0.01% | 0.81% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd. Com Stk | 0.36% | 0.47% | 0.11% |
| MQG:AUMacquarie Bank Ltd. | 0.64% | 0.13% | 0.51% |
| 8001:JPItochu Corp | 0.60% | 0.16% | 0.44% |
| 6701:JPNec Corp | 0.67% | 0.07% | 0.60% |
32.2% of IALT 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, IALT or VXUS?
IALT has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between IALT and VXUS?
At least 32.2% of IALT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 499 positions in common, counted across the 1,584 positions we hold weights for in IALT and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IALT or VXUS?
IALT yields 0.39% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IALT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.