INTF vs VXUS
iShares International Equity Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, INTF or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. INTF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | INTF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.90% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 504 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.46% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.18%Best | +20.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.86%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.93%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,798Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 4, 2015 to Sep 17, 2026 (11.4 years).
INTF 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
INTF vs VXUS Performance
iShares International Equity Factor ETF (INTF) 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 INTF returned +22.18% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, INTF is up 13.46% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, INTF compounded at +20.86% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.93% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, INTF has the edge at +6.61% annualized vs +5.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
INTF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.9% 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 -43.9% for INTF 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
INTF charges 0.16% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $5 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, INTF currently yields 2.90% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 67.5% of INTF'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
328 positions in common, counted across the 470 positions we hold weights for in INTF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 504 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in INTF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 2.35% | 1.42% | 0.93% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag - Common | 2.02% | 0.65% | 1.37% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.13% | 0.82% | 0.31% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 1.16% | 0.66% | 0.50% |
| NESN:SMDeveloped Markets Nestle Sa (reg. S) | 0.90% | 0.58% | 0.32% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd.[Abbn] | 1.01% | 0.34% | 0.67% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.77% | 0.57% | 0.20% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 1.02% | 0.31% | 0.71% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 0.74% | 0.54% | 0.20% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.64% | 0.57% | 0.07% |
67.5% of INTF 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, INTF or VXUS?
INTF has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, INTF or VXUS?
Over the past year INTF returned +22.18% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so INTF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), INTF annualized +6.61% vs +5.90% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, INTF or VXUS?
INTF has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: INTF -43.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both INTF and VXUS?
INTF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 INTF and VXUS?
At least 67.5% of INTF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 328 positions in common, counted across the 470 positions we hold weights for in INTF and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, INTF or VXUS?
INTF yields 2.90% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so INTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than INTF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. INTF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.