ITB vs VXUS
iShares US Home Construction ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ITB or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ITB 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 | ITB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.68% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 47 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -10.17% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -20.75% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.22% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.84% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,282 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
ITB 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.
ITB vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Home Construction ETF (ITB) 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 ITB returned -20.75% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, ITB is down 10.17% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, ITB compounded at +3.22% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.84% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, ITB has the edge at +12.95% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ITB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.3% 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 -52.1% for ITB 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ITB 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, ITB currently yields 0.68% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 43 holdings in ITB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.2% and 88.8% 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 43 positions we hold weights for in ITB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 47 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 43 and 8,082 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions ITB does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ITB 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, ITB or VXUS?
ITB 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, ITB or VXUS?
Over the past year ITB returned -20.75% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ITB annualized +12.95% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ITB or VXUS?
ITB has been the more volatile fund at 27.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ITB -52.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ITB and VXUS?
ITB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, ITB or VXUS?
ITB yields 0.68% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ITB?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ITB 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.