MXI vs VOO
iShares Global Materials ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MXI or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%.
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 | MXI | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 114 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +15.05%Best | +11.55% |
| 1Y Return | +25.52%Best | +17.54% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.21% | +20.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.54% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -50.1% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,383 | $18,262Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.0% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 10, 2026 (16 years).
MXI vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
MXI vs VOO Performance
iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MXI returned +25.52% while VOO returned +17.54%. Year to date, MXI is up 15.05% versus a gain of 11.55% for VOO.
Over three years, MXI compounded at +14.21% per year against +20.71% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +7.54% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.35% annualized vs +5.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -50.1% for MXI and -34.3% for VOO. 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
MXI charges 0.37% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $3 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MXI currently yields 1.70% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
38.3% of MXI's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.8% of VOO's money is in holdings MXI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
25 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 505 in VOO, against full books of 114 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 472 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for MXI (97.8% of the fund), and 5 for MXI that do not appear in VOO (1.5%).
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 MXI | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 8.08% | 0.37% | 7.71% |
| NEMNewmont Corp. | 3.39% | 0.15% | 3.24% |
| FCXFreeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc | 2.83% | 0.14% | 2.69% |
| SHWSherwin Williams Co/the | 2.59% | 0.12% | 2.47% |
| CRH:IECrh Plc | 2.33% | 0.11% | 2.22% |
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 2.32% | 0.11% | 2.21% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals In | 2.23% | 0.10% | 2.13% |
| CTVACorteva Inc. | 1.87% | 0.09% | 1.78% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 1.65% | 0.08% | 1.57% |
| VMCVulcan Materials Co. | 1.28% | 0.06% | 1.22% |
38.3% of MXI is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MXI or VOO?
MXI has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MXI or VOO?
Over the past year MXI returned +25.52% vs +17.54% for VOO, so MXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MXI annualized +5.07% vs +13.35% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MXI or VOO?
MXI has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: MXI -50.1% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both MXI and VOO?
MXI and VOO 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 MXI and VOO?
38.3% of MXI's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.8% of VOO's is in holdings MXI also owns. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, MXI or VOO?
MXI yields 1.70% while VOO yields 1.04%, so MXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MXI?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.