IGLD vs VXUS
FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IGLD or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IGLD 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 | IGLD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $603M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 21.43% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 10 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -9.45% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.74% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.54% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.70%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,389Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 2, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 3, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.5 years).
IGLD 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
IGLD vs VXUS Performance
FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IGLD returned +5.74% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, IGLD is down 9.45% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, IGLD compounded at +18.54% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.70% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, IGLD has the edge at +11.03% annualized vs +9.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.7% for IGLD. 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 -28.1% for IGLD and -29.4% 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 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGLD charges 0.85% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $5 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGLD currently yields 21.43% against 2.59% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IGLD 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, IGLD or VXUS?
IGLD has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGLD or VXUS?
Over the past year IGLD returned +5.74% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), IGLD annualized +11.03% vs +9.78% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGLD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.7% for IGLD. Worst drawdown: IGLD -28.1% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both IGLD and VXUS?
IGLD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGLD or VXUS?
IGLD yields 21.43% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so IGLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IGLD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IGLD 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.