ISMD vs VXUS
Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ISMD or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ISMD led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 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 | ISMD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $332M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 503 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.90%Best | +11.62% |
| 1Y Return | +20.46%Best | +18.43% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.13% | +20.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.60% | +9.33%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,106 | $15,621Best |
| Fund Family | Inspire ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2017 to Sep 30, 2026 (9.6 years).
ISMD 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 9.6 years both funds cover.
ISMD vs VXUS Performance
Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF (ISMD) is an ETF from Inspire ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISMD returned +20.46% while VXUS returned +18.43%. Year to date, ISMD is up 19.90% versus a gain of 11.62% for VXUS.
Over three years, ISMD compounded at +17.13% per year against +20.63% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.60% and +9.33% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, ISMD has the edge at +8.40% annualized vs +7.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 15.2% 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 -45.5% for ISMD 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
ISMD charges 0.53% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $5 annually, a gap of $48 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISMD currently yields 1.13% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 26.5% of ISMD'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.
ISMD and VXUS share little of their money.
124 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 503 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISMD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDZ:SMSandoz Group Ag | 0.46% | 0.08% | 0.38% |
| 8308:JPResona Holdings, Inc. Com Stk | 0.42% | 0.07% | 0.35% |
| REP:MARepsol Sa Sp/Adr Ordinary Shares | 0.40% | 0.07% | 0.33% |
| SLHN:SMSwiss Life Holding AG Namen Akt | 0.39% | 0.07% | 0.32% |
| 8604:JPNomura Holdings Inc Common Stock | 0.39% | 0.06% | 0.33% |
| 8309:JPSumitomo Mitsui Trust Group, Inc. Com Stk | 0.36% | 0.06% | 0.30% |
| IHG:LNIntercontinental Hotels Group Plc | 0.36% | 0.05% | 0.31% |
| AIBGY:IEAib Group Plc | 0.35% | 0.06% | 0.29% |
| 5401:JPNippon Steel Corp | 0.35% | 0.05% | 0.30% |
| 7269:JPSuzuki Motor Corp | 0.34% | 0.05% | 0.29% |
26.5% of ISMD 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ISMD or VXUS?
ISMD has an expense ratio of 0.53% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $48 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISMD or VXUS?
Over the past year ISMD returned +20.46% vs +18.43% for VXUS, so ISMD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ISMD annualized +8.40% vs +7.91% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISMD or VXUS?
ISMD has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 15.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ISMD -45.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ISMD and VXUS?
ISMD 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.
What is the holdings overlap between ISMD and VXUS?
At least 26.5% of ISMD'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 298 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISMD or VXUS?
ISMD yields 1.13% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ISMD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ISMD led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.