MLRG vs VXUS
iShares MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MLRG or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
MLRG has a lower expense ratio. MLRG 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 | MLRG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $1.3B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 1,052 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +10.64%Best | +8.79% |
| 1Y Return | +11.07% | +12.87%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16%Best | +18.94% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.14%Best | +8.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,957Best | $14,768 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | 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 Nov 10, 2026 (15.8 years).
MLRG 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 15.8 years both funds cover.
MLRG vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI USA ETF (MLRG) 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 MLRG returned +11.07% while VXUS returned +12.87%. Year to date, MLRG is up 10.64% versus a gain of 8.79% for VXUS.
Over three years, MLRG compounded at +21.16% per year against +18.94% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.14% and +8.11% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, MLRG has the edge at +12.29% annualized vs +4.44%.
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 14.2% for MLRG. 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 -35.3% for MLRG 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLRG charges 0.03% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLRG currently yields 0.98% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of MLRG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
5 positions in common, counted across the 516 positions we hold weights for in MLRG and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 1,052 and 9,293.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MLRG 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, MLRG or VXUS?
MLRG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. MLRG is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLRG or VXUS?
Over the past year MLRG returned +11.07% vs +12.87% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MLRG annualized +12.29% vs +4.44% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLRG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.2% for MLRG. Worst drawdown: MLRG -35.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MLRG and VXUS?
MLRG and VXUS 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLRG or VXUS?
MLRG yields 0.98% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MLRG?
MLRG has a lower expense ratio. MLRG 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.