IONZ vs VXUS
Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IONZ or VXUS?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.69, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | IONZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.91% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 14 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -90.13% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -91.20% | +18.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 146.0% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -98.7% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $153 | $12,995Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 23, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.3 years).
IONZ 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
IONZ vs VXUS Performance
Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF (IONZ) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IONZ returned -91.20% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, IONZ is down 90.13% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IONZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 146.0% compared with 13.0% 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 -98.7% for IONZ and -11.3% 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 -0.69. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IONZ charges 1.91% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $191 vs $5 annually, a gap of $186 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IONZ currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in IONZ and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 19.2% and 89.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, IONZ as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in IONZ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 14 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IONZ 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, IONZ or VXUS?
IONZ has an expense ratio of 1.91% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $186 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IONZ or VXUS?
Over the past year IONZ returned -91.20% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IONZ annualized -95.98% vs +22.33% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IONZ or VXUS?
IONZ has been the more volatile fund at 146.0% annualized versus 13.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IONZ -98.7% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both IONZ and VXUS?
IONZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.69, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IONZ or VXUS?
IONZ yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IONZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.69, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.