IBDQ vs VXUS
iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Corporate ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IBDQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | IBDQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.75% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 21 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 10.8 years | $14,185 | $17,629Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 11, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 269 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IBDQ has data through Dec 15, 2025 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 12, 2015 to Dec 15, 2025 (10.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 4.1% for IBDQ. 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 -15.2% for IBDQ 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBDQ charges 0.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $5 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBDQ currently yields 3.75% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 20 holdings in IBDQ and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 100.2% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 214 days apart, IBDQ as of Nov 28, 2025 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in IBDQ and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 21 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBDQ 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, IBDQ or VXUS?
IBDQ has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IBDQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 4.1% for IBDQ. Worst drawdown: IBDQ -15.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IBDQ and VXUS?
IBDQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IBDQ or VXUS?
IBDQ yields 3.75% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IBDQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IBDQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.