IXC vs VXUS
iShares Global Energy ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IXC or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXC led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y 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 | IXC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.87% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 65 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +36.39%Best | +14.49% |
| 1Y Return | +44.35%Best | +21.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.29% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.31%Best | +9.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,510Best | $15,793 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 12, 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 21, 2026 (15.6 years).
IXC 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.
IXC vs VXUS Performance
iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) 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 IXC returned +44.35% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, IXC is up 36.39% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, IXC compounded at +16.29% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +23.31% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs +3.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IXC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.6% 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 -74.2% for IXC 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IXC 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, IXC currently yields 2.87% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 30.5% of IXC'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
22 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in IXC and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 65 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IXC | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELShell Plc | 6.69% | 0.57% | 6.12% |
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | 2.92% | 0.27% | 2.65% |
| BP:LNBp Plc | 2.89% | 0.26% | 2.63% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 2.76% | 0.22% | 2.54% |
| SU:CASuncor Energy Inc | 2.09% | 0.18% | 1.91% |
| TRP:CATc Energy Corp | 1.72% | 0.16% | 1.56% |
| ENI:MIEni S.P.A. Ord | 1.43% | 0.11% | 1.32% |
| WDS:AUWoodside Petroleum Ltd | 1.17% | 0.10% | 1.07% |
| CVE:CACenovus Energy, Inc. | 1.14% | 0.09% | 1.05% |
| CCO:CACameco Corporation Com Npv | 1.13% | 0.08% | 1.05% |
30.5% of IXC is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IXC or VXUS?
IXC 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, IXC or VXUS?
Over the past year IXC returned +44.35% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so IXC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IXC annualized +3.72% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXC or VXUS?
IXC has been the more volatile fund at 23.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IXC -74.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IXC and VXUS?
IXC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 IXC and VXUS?
At least 30.5% of IXC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in IXC and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXC or VXUS?
IXC yields 2.87% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IXC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IXC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXC led over 1Y and 5Y, VXUS over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.