ISCB vs VXUS
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ISCB or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
ISCB has a lower expense ratio. ISCB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | ISCB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $282M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,587 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.61% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.35% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.25% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.07% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,071 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
ISCB 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.
ISCB vs VXUS Performance
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) 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 ISCB returned +14.35% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, ISCB is up 11.61% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, ISCB compounded at +16.25% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.07% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, ISCB has the edge at +8.40% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.0% 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 -44.2% for ISCB 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCB charges 0.04% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCB currently yields 1.27% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,340 holdings in ISCB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 93.3% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 7 positions appear in both.
7 positions in common, counted across the 1,340 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,587 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCB | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.17% | 0.00% | 0.17% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.11% | 0.01% | 0.10% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| BILLBill.Com Holdings, Inc. Common Stock | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| SCLStepan Co | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCB 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, ISCB or VXUS?
ISCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VXUS charges 0.05%. ISCB is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISCB or VXUS?
Over the past year ISCB returned +14.35% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ISCB annualized +8.40% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCB or VXUS?
ISCB has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ISCB -44.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ISCB and VXUS?
ISCB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCB or VXUS?
ISCB yields 1.27% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ISCB?
ISCB has a lower expense ratio. ISCB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.