IEV vs VXUS
iShares Europe ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IEV or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IEV led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | IEV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 372 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.85% | +14.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.28% | +24.27%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.45% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.34%Best | +9.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,628Best | $15,436 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 25, 2000 | 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 9, 2026 (15.6 years).
IEV 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.
IEV vs VXUS Performance
iShares Europe ETF (IEV) 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 IEV returned +17.28% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, IEV is up 7.85% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, IEV compounded at +17.45% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.34% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IEV has the edge at +4.99% annualized vs +4.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IEV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% 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 -40.5% for IEV 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IEV charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEV currently yields 2.71% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 64.6% of IEV'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.
215 positions in common, counted across the 361 positions we hold weights for in IEV and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 372 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IEV | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding N.V. | 4.57% | 1.70% | 2.87% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 2.54% | 0.72% | 1.82% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.96% | 0.65% | 1.31% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.78% | 0.59% | 1.19% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 1.70% | 0.62% | 1.08% |
| SHELShell plc | 1.73% | 0.48% | 1.25% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 1.65% | 0.52% | 1.13% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 1.36% | 0.35% | 1.01% |
| TTE:PATotalenergies Se Ordinary Shares | 1.24% | 0.33% | 0.91% |
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC | 1.19% | 0.36% | 0.83% |
64.6% of IEV 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, IEV or VXUS?
IEV has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEV or VXUS?
Over the past year IEV returned +17.28% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IEV annualized +4.99% vs +4.85% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEV or VXUS?
IEV has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IEV -40.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IEV and VXUS?
IEV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 IEV and VXUS?
At least 64.6% of IEV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 215 positions in common, counted across the 361 positions we hold weights for in IEV and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEV or VXUS?
IEV yields 2.71% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IEV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IEV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IEV led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.