IBHL vs VXUS
iShares iBonds 2032 Term High Yield and Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IBHL 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 | IBHL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $29M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.32% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 222 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -3.95% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.74% | +20.21%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.3%Best | 12.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.5%Best | -12.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $10,361 | $14,064Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 26, 2025 to Sep 24, 2026 (1.5 years).
IBHL 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
IBHL vs VXUS Performance
iShares iBonds 2032 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHL) 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 IBHL returned -2.74% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, IBHL is down 3.95% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 4.3% for IBHL. 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 -4.5% for IBHL and -12.2% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBHL charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBHL currently yields 6.32% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 174 holdings in IBHL and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 81.2% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 174 positions we hold weights for in IBHL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 222 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBHL 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, IBHL or VXUS?
IBHL has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBHL or VXUS?
Over the past year IBHL returned -2.74% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IBHL annualized +2.39% vs +25.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBHL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 4.3% for IBHL. Worst drawdown: IBHL -4.5% vs VXUS -12.2%.
Should I hold both IBHL and VXUS?
IBHL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, IBHL or VXUS?
IBHL yields 6.32% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IBHL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IBHL?
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.