IXP vs VXUS
iShares Global Comm Services ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IXP or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXP led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | IXP | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $465M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 90 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.32% | +14.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.36% | +21.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.31%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.16% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,499 | $15,728Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | 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 22, 2026 (15.6 years).
IXP 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.
IXP vs VXUS Performance
iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) 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 IXP returned +0.36% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, IXP is up 1.32% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.
Over three years, IXP compounded at +23.31% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.16% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IXP has the edge at +5.40% annualized vs +4.84%.
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 14.9% for IXP. 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 -43.9% for IXP 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IXP 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, IXP currently yields 3.47% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 20.8% of IXP'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.
IXP and VXUS share little of their money.
27 positions in common, counted across the 66 positions we hold weights for in IXP and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 90 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IXP | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9984:JPSoftbank Corp | 3.25% | 0.26% | 2.99% |
| DTE:FFDeutsche Telekom AG Deutsche Telekom Agnamens Aktien O N | 2.87% | 0.24% | 2.63% |
| 7974:JPNintendo Company Limited | 1.69% | 0.11% | 1.58% |
| 9432:JPNippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. Com Stk | 1.46% | 0.06% | 1.40% |
| 9433:JPKddi Corp | 1.34% | 0.12% | 1.22% |
| 9999:KYNetease Inc | 1.09% | 0.11% | 0.98% |
| 9434:JPSoftbank | 1.10% | 0.09% | 1.01% |
| TLS:AUTelstra Corp Ltd | 0.96% | 0.03% | 0.93% |
| VOD:LNVodafone Group Plc - Sp Adr | 0.80% | 0.06% | 0.74% |
| PUB:PAPublicis Group Sa | 0.68% | 0.06% | 0.62% |
20.8% of IXP 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, IXP or VXUS?
IXP 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, IXP or VXUS?
Over the past year IXP returned +0.36% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IXP annualized +5.40% vs +4.84% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXP or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.9% for IXP. Worst drawdown: IXP -43.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IXP and VXUS?
IXP and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 IXP and VXUS?
At least 20.8% of IXP's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 66 positions we hold weights for in IXP and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXP or VXUS?
IXP yields 3.47% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IXP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IXP?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IXP led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.