IXG vs VXUS
iShares Global Financials ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IXG or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXG 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 | IXG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $693M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.11% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 247 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.98% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.55% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.36%Best | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.12%Best | +8.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,356Best | $15,099 |
| 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 15, 2026 (15.6 years).
IXG 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.
IXG vs VXUS Performance
iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) 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 IXG returned +16.55% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, IXG is up 10.98% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, IXG compounded at +25.36% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +14.12% and +8.59% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IXG has the edge at +7.82% annualized vs +4.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IXG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% 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 -46.7% for IXG 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IXG charges 0.38% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $5 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IXG currently yields 2.11% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 36.5% of IXG'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.
107 positions in common, counted across the 222 positions we hold weights for in IXG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 247 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IXG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 2.21% | 0.82% | 1.39% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 1.77% | 0.66% | 1.11% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 1.26% | 0.45% | 0.81% |
| CBA:AUCommonwealth Bank Of Australia | 1.19% | 0.47% | 0.72% |
| 8316:JPSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. Shs | 1.04% | 0.35% | 0.69% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag | 1.02% | 0.37% | 0.65% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 1.37% | 0.00% | 1.37% |
| BBVA:MABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Reg Shs | 1.02% | 0.35% | 0.67% |
| UCG:MIUnicredit Spa | 0.92% | 0.32% | 0.60% |
| 8411:JPMizuho Financial Group Inc. Com Stk | 0.82% | 0.27% | 0.55% |
36.5% of IXG 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IXG or VXUS?
IXG has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IXG or VXUS?
Over the past year IXG returned +16.55% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IXG annualized +7.82% vs +4.71% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXG or VXUS?
IXG has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IXG -46.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IXG and VXUS?
IXG 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.
What is the holdings overlap between IXG and VXUS?
At least 36.5% of IXG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 107 positions in common, counted across the 222 positions we hold weights for in IXG and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXG or VXUS?
IXG yields 2.11% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IXG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXG 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.