ISRA vs VXUS
VanEck Israel ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ISRA or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ISRA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 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 | ISRA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $147M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 81 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +14.42%Best | +12.88% |
| 1Y Return | +32.02%Best | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.03%Best | +20.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.08% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,748 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2013 to Sep 23, 2026 (13.2 years).
ISRA 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
ISRA vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISRA returned +32.02% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, ISRA is up 14.42% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, ISRA compounded at +28.03% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.08% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, ISRA has the edge at +8.99% annualized vs +6.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISRA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% 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 -45.0% for ISRA 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISRA charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISRA currently yields 1.31% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 62.4% of ISRA'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
51 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in ISRA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 81 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISRA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEVA:ILTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Adr) | 7.17% | 0.09% | 7.08% |
| LUMI:ILBank Leumi Le-Israel | 5.87% | 0.08% | 5.79% |
| POLI:ILBank Hapoalim B.M. Share | 5.25% | 0.07% | 5.18% |
| ESLT:ILElbit Systems Ltd. | 3.78% | 0.05% | 3.73% |
| TSEM:ILTower Semiconductor Ltd Ordinary Shares | 3.29% | 0.06% | 3.23% |
| MZTF:ILMizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. Share | 2.29% | 0.03% | 2.26% |
| DSCT:ILIsrael Discount Bank Ltd | 2.25% | 0.03% | 2.22% |
| HARL:ILHarel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd Share | 1.64% | 0.02% | 1.62% |
| NICENice Ltd | 1.46% | 0.01% | 1.45% |
| NVMI:ILNova Ltd. | 1.38% | 0.03% | 1.35% |
62.4% of ISRA 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, ISRA or VXUS?
ISRA has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISRA or VXUS?
Over the past year ISRA returned +32.02% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so ISRA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ISRA annualized +8.99% vs +6.30% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISRA or VXUS?
ISRA has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ISRA -45.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ISRA and VXUS?
ISRA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 ISRA and VXUS?
At least 62.4% of ISRA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 51 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in ISRA and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISRA or VXUS?
ISRA yields 1.31% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ISRA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ISRA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.