IOO vs VXUS
iShares Global 100 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IOO or VXUS?
IOO has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | IOO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $9.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 117 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +15.47%Best | +14.94% |
| 1Y Return | +22.77%Best | +21.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.81%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.57%Best | +9.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.4%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,525Best | $15,728 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2000 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026 (15.6 years).
IOO 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
IOO vs VXUS Performance
iShares Global 100 ETF (IOO) 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 IOO returned +22.77% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, IOO is up 15.47% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, IOO compounded at +26.81% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +16.57% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IOO has the edge at +10.75% annualized vs +4.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.4% for IOO. 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 -31.4% for IOO 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IOO charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IOO currently yields 0.81% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 12.3% of IOO'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.
IOO and VXUS share little of their money.
35 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in IOO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 117 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IOO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 1.57% | 1.42% | 0.15% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.86% | 0.82% | 0.04% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.67% | 0.65% | 0.02% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 0.66% | 0.54% | 0.12% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.61% | 0.57% | 0.04% |
| NESN:SMNestlã S.A., Registered Shares | 0.60% | 0.58% | 0.02% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.60% | 0.57% | 0.03% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 0.57% | 0.54% | 0.03% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 0.58% | 0.31% | 0.27% |
| SU:PASchneider Electric | 0.45% | 0.41% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IOO 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, IOO or VXUS?
IOO has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IOO or VXUS?
Over the past year IOO returned +22.77% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so IOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IOO annualized +10.75% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IOO or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.4% for IOO. Worst drawdown: IOO -31.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IOO and VXUS?
IOO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 IOO and VXUS?
At least 12.3% of IOO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in IOO and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IOO or VXUS?
IOO yields 0.81% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IOO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.