IYE vs VXUS
iShares US Energy ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IYE or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IYE 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 | IYE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.98% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 44 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +43.19%Best | +14.48% |
| 1Y Return | +48.77%Best | +22.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.22% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +24.57%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,996Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 12, 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).
IYE 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.
IYE vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) 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 IYE returned +48.77% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, IYE is up 43.19% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, IYE compounded at +15.22% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +24.57% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.82% annualized vs +4.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IYE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.6% 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 -78.1% for IYE 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IYE 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, IYE currently yields 1.98% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.6% of IYE'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.
IYE and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, IYE as of Aug 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in IYE and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 44 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IYE 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, IYE or VXUS?
IYE 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, IYE or VXUS?
Over the past year IYE returned +48.77% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so IYE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IYE annualized +4.49% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IYE or VXUS?
IYE has been the more volatile fund at 26.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IYE -78.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IYE and VXUS?
IYE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 IYE and VXUS?
At least 1.6% of IYE's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in IYE and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IYE or VXUS?
IYE yields 1.98% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IYE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IYE 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.