ILOW vs VXUS
AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ILOW or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | ILOW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.46% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 102 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.80% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.92% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.9%Best | 11.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.4%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,883 | $14,943Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (2.1 years).
ILOW 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
ILOW vs VXUS Performance
AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ILOW returned +14.92% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, ILOW is up 10.80% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.5% compared with 9.9% for ILOW. 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 -10.4% for ILOW and -13.6% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILOW charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILOW currently yields 1.46% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 68.8% of ILOW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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.
60 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in ILOW and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 102 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ILOW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 3.05% | 1.70% | 1.35% |
| SCHN:PASchneider Electric Se | 2.45% | 0.39% | 2.06% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.91% | 0.65% | 1.26% |
| O39:SIOversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. Shs | 1.92% | 0.14% | 1.78% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.38% | 0.62% | 0.76% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.47% | 0.48% | 0.99% |
| KBC:BRKbc Group Nv | 1.84% | 0.07% | 1.77% |
| UCG:MIUnicredit Spa | 1.60% | 0.30% | 1.30% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 1.55% | 0.30% | 1.25% |
| ENX:ASEuronext Nv | 1.78% | 0.03% | 1.75% |
68.8% of ILOW 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, ILOW or VXUS?
ILOW has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ILOW or VXUS?
Over the past year ILOW returned +14.92% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), ILOW annualized +16.91% vs +21.08% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ILOW or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 9.9% for ILOW. Worst drawdown: ILOW -10.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both ILOW and VXUS?
ILOW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 ILOW and VXUS?
At least 68.8% of ILOW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in ILOW and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILOW or VXUS?
ILOW yields 1.46% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ILOW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.