IXUS vs VYM
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IXUS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. IXUS is less concentrated, with 13.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | IXUS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $60.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.88% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 4,623 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.71%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +22.25%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.12%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.82% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,260 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (13.9 years).
IXUS vs VYM 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 13.9 years both funds cover.
IXUS vs VYM Performance
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IXUS returned +22.25% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, IXUS is up 14.71% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, IXUS compounded at +20.12% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.82% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.07% annualized vs +6.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 13.2% for VYM. 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 -39.9% for IXUS and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IXUS charges 0.07% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $4 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IXUS currently yields 2.88% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of IXUS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.0% of VYM's money is in holdings IXUS also owns.
VYM and IXUS share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 4,339 positions we hold weights for in IXUS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 4,623 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 559 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IXUS (95.8% of the fund), and 29 for IXUS that do not appear in VYM (2.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IXUS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.05% | 1.32% | 1.27% |
| DGDollar General Corp. | 0.16% | 0.11% | 0.05% |
| BAP:BMCredicorp Ltd | 0.06% | 0.11% | 0.05% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.02% | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| RFRegions Financial Corp. | 0.01% | 0.11% | 0.10% |
| SCCOSouthern Copper Corp | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| XPXp Inc | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| TIGO:LUMillicom International Cellular Sa Common Stock | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corp | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| SIG:AUSigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IXUS and VYM 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, IXUS or VYM?
IXUS has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IXUS or VYM?
Over the past year IXUS returned +22.25% vs +17.57% for VYM, so IXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IXUS annualized +6.30% vs +10.07% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXUS or VYM?
IXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 13.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IXUS -39.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IXUS and VYM?
IXUS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 IXUS and VYM?
2.0% of VYM's money is in holdings IXUS also owns. 2.0% of VYM's is in holdings IXUS also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 4,339 positions we hold weights for in IXUS and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXUS or VYM?
IXUS yields 2.88% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IXUS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IXUS led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. IXUS is less concentrated, with 13.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.