ION vs VXUS
Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ION or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ION led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y 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 | ION | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 53 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.68% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +52.31%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.48% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.1% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.2% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $13,298 | $18,606Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 29, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 1, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (3.8 years).
ION 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
ION vs VXUS Performance
Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ION returned +52.31% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, ION is down 0.68% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, ION compounded at +16.48% per year against +20.48% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +17.75% annualized vs +7.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ION has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.1% compared with 12.7% 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 -52.2% for ION 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ION charges 0.58% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $5 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ION currently yields 1.61% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 51.2% of ION'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.
29 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in ION and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 53 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ION | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5541:JPPacific Metals Co Ltd | 4.16% | 0.00% | 4.16% |
| INCO:IDVale Indonesia | 3.76% | 0.00% | 3.76% |
| IGO:AUIGO Limited | 3.65% | 0.01% | 3.64% |
| PLS:AUPilbara Minerals Limited Ordinary Fully Paid | 2.86% | 0.02% | 2.84% |
| ELV:AUElevra Lithium Ltd | 2.79% | 0.00% | 2.79% |
| ERA:PAEramet | 2.78% | 0.00% | 2.78% |
| MIN:AUMineral Resources Ltd | 2.56% | 0.02% | 2.54% |
| TINS:IDTimah Tbk Pt | 2.56% | 0.00% | 2.56% |
| LTR:AULiontown Resources Ltd | 2.40% | 0.01% | 2.39% |
| 002466:SHTianqi Lithium Corp- A | 2.39% | 0.00% | 2.39% |
51.2% of ION 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, ION or VXUS?
ION has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ION or VXUS?
Over the past year ION returned +52.31% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so ION leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), ION annualized +7.79% vs +17.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ION or VXUS?
ION has been the more volatile fund at 31.1% annualized versus 12.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ION -52.2% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both ION and VXUS?
ION and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 ION and VXUS?
At least 51.2% of ION's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in ION and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ION or VXUS?
ION yields 1.61% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ION?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ION led over 1Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.