IQDF vs VXUS
Northern Trust International Quality Dividend ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IQDF or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IQDF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | IQDF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.52% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 456 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +11.79%Best | +8.79% |
| 1Y Return | +17.69%Best | +12.87% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.93%Best | +18.94% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.91%Best | +8.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,782Best | $14,768 |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 16, 2013 to Nov 10, 2026 (13.6 years).
IQDF 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 13.6 years both funds cover.
IQDF vs VXUS Performance
Northern Trust International Quality Dividend ETF (IQDF) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IQDF returned +17.69% while VXUS returned +12.87%. Year to date, IQDF is up 11.79% versus a gain of 8.79% for VXUS.
Over three years, IQDF compounded at +21.93% per year against +18.94% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.91% and +8.11% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.36% annualized vs +4.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IQDF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.5% 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 -47.3% for IQDF 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQDF charges 0.47% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $5 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQDF currently yields 3.52% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 70.8% of IQDF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of IQDF is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
124 positions in common, counted across the 191 positions we hold weights for in IQDF and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 456 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IQDF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:TWTsmc | 4.82% | 4.24% | 0.58% |
| 005930:KRSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 1.67% | 2.02% | 0.35% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 1.36% | 1.54% | 0.18% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 2.39% | 0.50% | 1.89% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 1.09% | 1.65% | 0.56% |
| NOVO.B:CONovo Nordisk As | 1.67% | 0.27% | 1.40% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 1.41% | 0.31% | 1.10% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 1.44% | 0.23% | 1.21% |
| ISP:MISanpaolo S.P.A | 1.39% | 0.25% | 1.14% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.03% | 0.52% | 0.51% |
70.8% of IQDF 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, IQDF or VXUS?
IQDF has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQDF or VXUS?
Over the past year IQDF returned +17.69% vs +12.87% for VXUS, so IQDF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IQDF annualized +4.42% vs +5.36% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQDF or VXUS?
IQDF has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IQDF -47.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IQDF and VXUS?
IQDF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 IQDF and VXUS?
At least 70.8% of IQDF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 124 positions in common, counted across the 191 positions we hold weights for in IQDF and 8,463 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQDF or VXUS?
IQDF yields 3.52% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so IQDF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IQDF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IQDF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.