IGRO vs VXUS
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IGRO or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. 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 | IGRO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.62% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 584 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.95% | +15.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.44% | +25.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.99% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.72% | +9.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,190 | $15,535Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 17, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2016 to Sep 8, 2026 (10.3 years).
IGRO 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
IGRO vs VXUS Performance
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) 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 IGRO returned +17.44% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, IGRO is up 10.95% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Over three years, IGRO compounded at +16.99% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.72% and +9.21% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +8.65% annualized vs +7.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.7% for IGRO. 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 -37.0% for IGRO 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
IGRO charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGRO currently yields 2.62% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 55.5% of IGRO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% 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.
346 positions in common, counted across the 524 positions we hold weights for in IGRO and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 584 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IGRO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NESN:SMNestle S.a. Adr | 3.07% | 0.59% | 2.48% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 2.99% | 0.65% | 2.34% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 2.86% | 0.64% | 2.22% |
| BATS:LNBritish American Tobacco P.l.c | 2.90% | 0.28% | 2.62% |
| TD:CAToronto-dominion Bank | 2.27% | 0.45% | 1.82% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag | 1.51% | 0.34% | 1.17% |
| NAB:AUNational Australia Bank | 1.62% | 0.18% | 1.44% |
| CM:CACanadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 1.20% | 0.23% | 0.97% |
| 1299:HKA I A Group Ltd. | 1.09% | 0.21% | 0.88% |
| CFR:SMCie Financiere Richemont Sa | 0.94% | 0.27% | 0.67% |
55.5% of IGRO 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, IGRO or VXUS?
IGRO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGRO or VXUS?
Over the past year IGRO returned +17.44% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), IGRO annualized +7.96% vs +8.65% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGRO or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.7% for IGRO. Worst drawdown: IGRO -37.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IGRO and VXUS?
IGRO 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 IGRO and VXUS?
At least 55.5% of IGRO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 346 positions in common, counted across the 524 positions we hold weights for in IGRO and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGRO or VXUS?
IGRO yields 2.62% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so IGRO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IGRO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. 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.