IDLV vs VXUS
Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IDLV or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | IDLV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $337M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.75% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 215 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.00% | +15.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.41% | +27.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.75% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.36% | +8.96%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,611 | $15,358Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 17, 2012 to Sep 3, 2026 (14.6 years).
IDLV 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
IDLV vs VXUS Performance
Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF (IDLV) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IDLV returned +13.41% while VXUS returned +27.46%. Year to date, IDLV is up 9.00% versus a gain of 15.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, IDLV compounded at +14.75% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.36% and +8.96% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.40% annualized vs +4.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 12.1% for IDLV. 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 -36.4% for IDLV 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IDLV charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDLV currently yields 4.75% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.8% of IDLV'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.
Most of IDLV is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
148 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in IDLV and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 215 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IDLV | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.66% | 0.64% | 0.02% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.48% | 0.65% | 0.17% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.61% | 0.45% | 0.16% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.41% | 0.59% | 0.18% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola S.A. | 0.59% | 0.37% | 0.22% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.41% | 0.48% | 0.07% |
| UOB:FFUnited Overseas Bank | 0.78% | 0.08% | 0.70% |
| BNS:CABank Of Nova Scotia/The Common Stock | 0.61% | 0.24% | 0.37% |
| BMO:CABank Of Montreal | 0.53% | 0.28% | 0.25% |
| ZURN:SMZurich Insurance Group. Namen Akt | 0.53% | 0.25% | 0.28% |
73.8% of IDLV 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, IDLV or VXUS?
IDLV has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IDLV or VXUS?
Over the past year IDLV returned +13.41% vs +27.46% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), IDLV annualized +4.03% vs +6.40% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IDLV or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 12.1% for IDLV. Worst drawdown: IDLV -36.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IDLV and VXUS?
IDLV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 IDLV and VXUS?
At least 73.8% of IDLV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 148 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in IDLV and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IDLV or VXUS?
IDLV yields 4.75% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so IDLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IDLV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.