IWV vs VXUS
iShares Russell 3000 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IWV or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IWV 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 | IWV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $20.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.85% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,596 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.39% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.88% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.63%Best | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.78%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,451Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | 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).
IWV 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.
IWV vs VXUS Performance
iShares Russell 3000 ETF (IWV) 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 IWV returned +16.88% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, IWV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, IWV compounded at +20.63% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.78% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IWV has the edge at +12.29% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.5% for IWV. 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 IWV 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
IWV charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWV currently yields 0.85% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.8% of IWV'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.
29 positions in common, counted across the 2,574 positions we hold weights for in IWV and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 2,596 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IWV | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.33% | 0.00% | 0.33% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| QSR:CARestaurant Brands International Inc. | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| RBA:CARb Global Inc | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| BAM:CABrookfield Corporation (Canada) | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| MTX:SGMinerals Technologies Inc | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IWV 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, IWV or VXUS?
IWV has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWV or VXUS?
Over the past year IWV returned +16.88% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IWV annualized +12.29% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWV or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.5% for IWV. Worst drawdown: IWV -35.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IWV and VXUS?
IWV 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWV or VXUS?
IWV yields 0.85% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IWV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IWV 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.