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 | $7.0B | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.39% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,527 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +17.92%Best | +11.16% |
| 1Y Return | - | +17.13% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.18% |
| 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 17.92% versus a gain of 11.16% 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
We hold position weights for 1,699 holdings in IALT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 106.3% and 89.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 520 positions appear in both.
520 positions in common, counted across the 1,699 positions we hold weights for in IALT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 2,527 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IALT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELShell Plc | 0.49% | 0.57% | 0.08% |
| 8001:JPItochu Corp | 0.83% | 0.18% | 0.65% |
| SU:CASuncor Energy Inc | 0.79% | 0.18% | 0.61% |
| ISP:MIIntesa Sanpaolo SpA Shs | 0.71% | 0.26% | 0.45% |
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.14% | 0.76% | 0.62% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 0.65% | 0.22% | 0.43% |
| BNS:CABank Of Nova Scotia/The Common Stock | 0.56% | 0.24% | 0.32% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola S.A. | 0.42% | 0.37% | 0.05% |
| ABBN:SMABB Ltd. - Ordinary Shares | 0.38% | 0.34% | 0.04% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 0.18% | 0.54% | 0.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IALT and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
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.
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.