IGE vs VXUS
iShares North American Natural Resources ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IGE or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IGE led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y 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 | IGE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $754M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 156 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +27.81%Best | +13.03% |
| 1Y Return | +37.37%Best | +20.20% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.59% | +19.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.09%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.5% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,034Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 22, 2001 | 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 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
IGE 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.
IGE vs VXUS Performance
iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) 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 IGE returned +37.37% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, IGE is up 27.81% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, IGE compounded at +17.59% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +21.09% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.74% annualized vs +3.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.5% 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 -72.3% for IGE 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGE charges 0.37% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $5 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGE currently yields 1.80% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.5% of IGE'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.
IGE and VXUS share little of their money.
40 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IGE and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 156 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IGE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | 2.68% | 0.27% | 2.41% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 2.53% | 0.22% | 2.31% |
| AEM:CAAgnico Eagle Mines Ltd | 2.51% | 0.17% | 2.34% |
| SU:CASuncor Energy Inc | 1.91% | 0.18% | 1.73% |
| ABX:CABarrick Gold Corp ., January 2025, $23 .50 Cad | 1.82% | 0.08% | 1.74% |
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | 1.66% | 0.11% | 1.55% |
| TRP:CATc Energy Corp | 1.58% | 0.16% | 1.42% |
| CVE:CACenovus Energy, Inc. | 1.05% | 0.09% | 0.96% |
| CCO:CACameco Corporation Com Npv | 1.04% | 0.08% | 0.96% |
| KGC:CAKinross Gold Corp | 0.89% | 0.06% | 0.83% |
24.5% of IGE 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, IGE or VXUS?
IGE has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGE or VXUS?
Over the past year IGE returned +37.37% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so IGE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IGE annualized +3.76% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGE or VXUS?
IGE has been the more volatile fund at 23.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IGE -72.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IGE and VXUS?
IGE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 IGE and VXUS?
At least 24.5% of IGE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IGE and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGE or VXUS?
IGE yields 1.80% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IGE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IGE led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.