IQLT vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IQLT or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IQLT led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | IQLT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13.7B | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.32% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 315 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +8.75% | +11.16%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.03% | +17.13%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.05% | +20.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.02% | +9.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Tie | 14.8%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,707 | $15,514Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 15, 2015 to Oct 1, 2026 (11.7 years).
IQLT 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 11.7 years both funds cover.
IQLT vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) 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 IQLT returned +13.03% while VXUS returned +17.13%. Year to date, IQLT is up 8.75% versus a gain of 11.16% for VXUS.
Over three years, IQLT compounded at +17.05% per year against +20.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.02% and +9.18% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, IQLT has the edge at +6.98% annualized vs +6.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IQLT and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 14.8% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -32.2% for IQLT 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQLT charges 0.30% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $5 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQLT currently yields 2.32% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 56.1% of IQLT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% 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.
179 positions in common, counted across the 290 positions we hold weights for in IQLT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 315 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IQLT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NESN:SMNestle SA | 1.73% | 0.58% | 1.15% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd.[Abbn] | 1.91% | 0.34% | 1.57% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.66% | 0.57% | 1.09% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.57% | 0.65% | 0.92% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.57% | 0.57% | 1.00% |
| ZURN:SMZurich Insurance Group Ag | 1.74% | 0.26% | 1.48% |
| RR:LNRolls Royce Holdings Plc Common Stock Gbp.2 | 1.49% | 0.38% | 1.11% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 1.55% | 0.31% | 1.24% |
| TTE:PATotal Fina Elf Holdings Usa, Inc. | 1.37% | 0.38% | 0.99% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola S.A. | 1.31% | 0.37% | 0.94% |
56.1% of IQLT 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, IQLT or VXUS?
IQLT has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQLT or VXUS?
Over the past year IQLT returned +13.03% vs +17.13% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), IQLT annualized +6.98% vs +6.48% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQLT or VXUS?
IQLT and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 14.8% annualized. Worst drawdown: IQLT -32.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IQLT and VXUS?
IQLT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 IQLT and VXUS?
At least 56.1% of IQLT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 179 positions in common, counted across the 290 positions we hold weights for in IQLT and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQLT or VXUS?
IQLT yields 2.32% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IQLT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IQLT led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.