IWS vs VXUS
iShares Russell Mid-cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IWS or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IWS led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y.
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 | IWS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.23% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $15.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 724 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +17.70%Best | +13.03% |
| 1Y Return | +21.67%Best | +20.20% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.27% | +19.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.45%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,706Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 17, 2001 | 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 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
IWS 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.
IWS vs VXUS Performance
iShares Russell Mid-cap Value ETF (IWS) 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 IWS returned +21.67% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, IWS is up 17.70% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, IWS compounded at +17.27% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.45% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IWS has the edge at +9.28% annualized vs +4.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% 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 -43.8% for IWS 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWS charges 0.23% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $23 vs $5 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWS currently yields 1.30% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.2% of IWS'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.
IWS and VXUS share little of their money.
16 positions in common, counted across the 687 positions we hold weights for in IWS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 724 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IWS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.21% | 0.76% | 0.55% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.32% | 0.05% | 0.27% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.28% | 0.07% | 0.21% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.29% | 0.02% | 0.27% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| RBA:CARb Global, Inc | 0.15% | 0.05% | 0.10% |
| QSRRestaurant Brands Int | 0.11% | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| GFL:CAGfl Environmental Inc | 0.11% | 0.02% | 0.09% |
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| QGEN:ASQiagen Nv | 0.09% | 0.02% | 0.07% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IWS 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, IWS or VXUS?
IWS has an expense ratio of 0.23% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWS or VXUS?
Over the past year IWS returned +21.67% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so IWS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IWS annualized +9.28% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWS or VXUS?
IWS has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IWS -43.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IWS and VXUS?
IWS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 IWS and VXUS?
At least 2.2% of IWS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 687 positions we hold weights for in IWS and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWS or VXUS?
IWS yields 1.30% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IWS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IWS led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.