IMTM vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IMTM or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IMTM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | IMTM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.37% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 325 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.67% | +14.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.74% | +24.27%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.08%Best | +19.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.00%Best | +9.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,105Best | $15,436 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2015 to Sep 9, 2026 (11.6 years).
IMTM 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 11.6 years both funds cover.
IMTM vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (IMTM) 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 IMTM returned +19.74% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, IMTM is up 11.67% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, IMTM compounded at +22.08% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.00% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, IMTM has the edge at +8.10% annualized vs +6.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 13.8% for IMTM. 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 -30.7% for IMTM 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMTM charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMTM currently yields 4.37% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 68.6% of IMTM'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.
198 positions in common, counted across the 301 positions we hold weights for in IMTM and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 325 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IMTM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding N.V. | 5.22% | 1.70% | 3.52% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 2.80% | 0.72% | 2.08% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 2.42% | 0.64% | 1.78% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.85% | 0.65% | 1.20% |
| TD:CAToronto-dominion Bank (the) | 1.90% | 0.45% | 1.45% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 1.70% | 0.45% | 1.25% |
| TTE:PATotal Energies Se | 1.64% | 0.33% | 1.31% |
| SHELShell plc | 1.49% | 0.48% | 1.01% |
| 285A:JPKioxia Holdings Corp | 1.53% | 0.43% | 1.10% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 1.22% | 0.62% | 0.60% |
68.6% of IMTM 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IMTM or VXUS?
IMTM has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMTM or VXUS?
Over the past year IMTM returned +19.74% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), IMTM annualized +8.10% vs +6.55% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMTM or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 13.8% for IMTM. Worst drawdown: IMTM -30.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IMTM and VXUS?
IMTM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 IMTM and VXUS?
At least 68.6% of IMTM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 198 positions in common, counted across the 301 positions we hold weights for in IMTM and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMTM or VXUS?
IMTM yields 4.37% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IMTM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IMTM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IMTM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.