IFRA vs VXUS
iShares US Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IFRA or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IFRA led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | IFRA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.66% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 168 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.37% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.47% | +20.21%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.89% | +19.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.93%Best | +8.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.1% | -36.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,568Best | $15,379 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2018 to Sep 24, 2026 (8.5 years).
IFRA 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 8.5 years both funds cover.
IFRA vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) 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 IFRA returned +7.47% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, IFRA is up 4.37% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, IFRA compounded at +15.89% per year against +19.97% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.93% and +8.99% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IFRA has the edge at +10.82% annualized vs +7.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IFRA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 15.9% 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 -41.1% for IFRA and -36.4% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IFRA charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IFRA currently yields 1.66% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.2% of IFRA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
IFRA and VXUS share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 162 positions we hold weights for in IFRA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 168 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IFRA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRP:CATc Energy Corp | 1.85% | 0.16% | 1.69% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 1.61% | 0.00% | 1.61% |
| FTS:CAFortis Inc | 0.82% | 0.06% | 0.76% |
| AMRZ:SMAmrize Ag | 0.80% | 0.06% | 0.74% |
| JHX:AUJames Hardie Industries Plc Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.63% | 0.03% | 0.60% |
| EMA:CAEmera Inc | 0.45% | 0.04% | 0.41% |
| STN:CAStantec Inc | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.22% | 0.01% | 0.21% |
| AQN:CAAlgonquin Power & Utilities Corp - Common | 0.13% | 0.01% | 0.12% |
| EFR:CAEnergy Fuels Inc | 0.13% | 0.01% | 0.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IFRA 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, IFRA or VXUS?
IFRA has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IFRA or VXUS?
Over the past year IFRA returned +7.47% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), IFRA annualized +10.82% vs +7.08% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IFRA or VXUS?
IFRA has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 15.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IFRA -41.1% vs VXUS -36.4%.
Should I hold both IFRA and VXUS?
IFRA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 IFRA and VXUS?
At least 7.2% of IFRA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 162 positions we hold weights for in IFRA and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IFRA or VXUS?
IFRA yields 1.66% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IFRA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IFRA led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.