ILDR vs VXUS
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ILDR or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | ILDR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $318M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 164 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.62%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +17.74% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.68%Best | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.68%Best | +8.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.6% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,609Best | $15,099 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Sep 15, 2026 (5.3 years).
ILDR 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
ILDR vs VXUS Performance
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) 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 ILDR returned +17.74% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, ILDR is up 13.62% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, ILDR compounded at +28.68% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.68% and +8.59% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 14.8% 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 -44.6% for ILDR 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILDR charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILDR currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.5% of ILDR'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.
ILDR and VXUS share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 164 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ILDR | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SU:PASchneider Electric Se | 2.36% | 0.41% | 1.95% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 2.11% | 0.32% | 1.79% |
| ARGX:ASArgenx Se /Eur/ | 1.47% | 0.12% | 1.35% |
| ADYEN:ASAdyen Nv | 1.13% | 0.06% | 1.07% |
| RHMG:SGRheinmetall Ag | 0.55% | 0.14% | 0.41% |
| ZEAL:COZealand Pharma A/S Ordinary Shares | 0.54% | 0.01% | 0.53% |
| MDA:CAMda Space Ltdnonenone | 0.34% | 0.01% | 0.33% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ILDR 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, ILDR or VXUS?
ILDR has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ILDR or VXUS?
Over the past year ILDR returned +17.74% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ILDR or VXUS?
ILDR has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ILDR -44.6% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both ILDR and VXUS?
ILDR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 ILDR and VXUS?
At least 8.5% of ILDR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILDR or VXUS?
ILDR yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ILDR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.