IVV vs IXUS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IVV or IXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, IXUS over 1Y. IXUS is less concentrated, with 13.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | IVV | IXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.07% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $60.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.88% |
| Holdings | 508 | 4,623 |
| YTD Return | +11.03% | +12.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.62% | +19.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.81%Best | +19.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.61%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,109Best | $15,071 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 13.6%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Oct 18, 2012 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2012 to Sep 16, 2026 (13.9 years).
IVV vs IXUS 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 13.9 years both funds cover.
IVV vs IXUS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IVV returned +15.62% while IXUS returned +19.24%. Year to date, IVV is up 11.03% versus a gain of 12.46% for IXUS.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +20.81% per year against +19.20% for IXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.61% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.31% annualized vs +6.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 14.2% for IVV. 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 -33.9% for IVV and -39.9% for IXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while IXUS charges 0.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $7 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 2.88% for IXUS.
Holdings Overlap
0.9% of IVV's money is in holdings IXUS also owns. 1.0% of IXUS's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
IXUS and IVV share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 4,437 in IXUS, against full books of 508 and 4,623.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 35 positions for IXUS that do not appear in our book for IVV (1.6% of the fund), and 476 for IVV that do not appear in IXUS (97.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and IXUS 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, IVV or IXUS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while IXUS charges 0.07%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or IXUS?
Over the past year IVV returned +15.62% vs +19.24% for IXUS, so IXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IVV annualized +13.31% vs +6.14% for IXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or IXUS?
IXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 14.2% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs IXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and IXUS?
IVV and IXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 IVV and IXUS?
1.0% of IXUS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 1.0% of IXUS's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 4,437 in IXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or IXUS?
IVV yields 1.06% while IXUS yields 2.88%, so IXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IXUS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, IXUS over 1Y. IXUS is less concentrated, with 13.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.