IUS vs VXUS
Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IUS or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | IUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $981M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 541 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +21.74%Best | +14.48% |
| 1Y Return | +28.22%Best | +22.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.49%Best | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.01%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,122Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (8 years).
IUS 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 8 years both funds cover.
IUS vs VXUS Performance
Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IUS returned +28.22% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, IUS is up 21.74% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, IUS compounded at +21.49% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +15.01% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, IUS has the edge at +15.05% annualized vs +8.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 16.2% 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 -35.2% for IUS and -35.1% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IUS charges 0.19% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $5 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IUS currently yields 1.21% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of IUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
4 positions in common, counted across the 498 positions we hold weights for in IUS and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 541 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IUS 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, IUS or VXUS?
IUS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IUS or VXUS?
Over the past year IUS returned +28.22% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so IUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), IUS annualized +15.05% vs +8.70% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IUS or VXUS?
IUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 16.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IUS -35.2% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both IUS and VXUS?
IUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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, IUS or VXUS?
IUS yields 1.21% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.