IEUS vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IEUS or VXUS?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IEUS led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | IEUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.41% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $179M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.05% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 859 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.48% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.43% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.73% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.37% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,243 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 12, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
IEUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
IEUS vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF (IEUS) 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 IEUS returned +11.43% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, IEUS is up 6.48% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, IEUS compounded at +14.73% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.37% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IEUS has the edge at +4.99% annualized vs +4.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IEUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -48.1% for IEUS 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IEUS charges 0.41% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $41 vs $5 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEUS currently yields 3.05% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 67.2% of IEUS'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.
476 positions in common, counted across the 838 positions we hold weights for in IEUS and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 859 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IEUS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DPLM:LNDiploma Plc | 0.86% | 0.03% | 0.83% |
| IMI:LNImi Plc | 0.62% | 0.02% | 0.60% |
| BEZ:LNBeazley Plc | 0.61% | 0.02% | 0.59% |
| WEIR:LNWeir Group Plc/the | 0.58% | 0.02% | 0.56% |
| ACLN:SMAccelleron Industries Ag | 0.54% | 0.02% | 0.52% |
| STB:OSStorebrand Asa | 0.53% | 0.02% | 0.51% |
| GAW:LNGames Workshop Group Plc | 0.52% | 0.02% | 0.50% |
| SPIE:PASpie Sa | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| GTT:PAGaztransport Et Technigaz Sa | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| PSPN:SMPsp Swiss Property Ag | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
67.2% of IEUS 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IEUS or VXUS?
IEUS has an expense ratio of 0.41% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEUS or VXUS?
Over the past year IEUS returned +11.43% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IEUS annualized +4.99% vs +4.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEUS or VXUS?
IEUS has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IEUS -48.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IEUS and VXUS?
IEUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IEUS and VXUS?
At least 67.2% of IEUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 476 positions in common, counted across the 838 positions we hold weights for in IEUS and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEUS or VXUS?
IEUS yields 3.05% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IEUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IEUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IEUS led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.