ITA vs VXUS
iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ITA or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ITA led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | ITA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.47% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 53 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.35% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.87% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.72%Best | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.09%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,009Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | 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 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
ITA 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.
ITA vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) 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 ITA returned +9.87% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, ITA is down 1.35% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, ITA compounded at +26.72% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +17.09% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, ITA has the edge at +14.62% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ITA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% 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 -51.0% for ITA 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ITA charges 0.37% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $5 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ITA currently yields 0.47% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in ITA and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in ITA and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 53 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 50 and 8,091 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 44 positions ITA does not, 2.4% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.48%, IBDRY 0.37%, ASX 0.16%, BALN 3.4 04/15/30 14 0.16%, PRYMY 0.11%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ITA 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, ITA or VXUS?
ITA has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ITA or VXUS?
Over the past year ITA returned +9.87% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ITA annualized +14.62% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ITA or VXUS?
ITA has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ITA -51.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ITA and VXUS?
ITA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, ITA or VXUS?
ITA yields 0.47% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ITA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ITA led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.