QAT vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Qatar ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QAT or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | QAT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $60M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.93% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 38 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -5.16% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.48% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.91% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.64% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,847 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 29, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2014 to Sep 10, 2026 (12.4 years).
QAT 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 12.4 years both funds cover.
QAT vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) 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 QAT returned -7.48% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, QAT is down 5.16% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, QAT compounded at +2.91% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.64% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.45% annualized vs -0.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 14.7% 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 -51.0% for QAT 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QAT charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QAT currently yields 4.93% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 80.5% of QAT'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.
Most of QAT is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, QAT 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.
19 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in QAT and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 38 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QAT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| QNBK:QAQatar National Bank Qpsc | 22.67% | 0.05% | 22.62% |
| QIBK:QAQatar Islamic Bank | 14.29% | 0.02% | 14.27% |
| IQCD:QAIndustries Qatar Qsc | 5.98% | 0.01% | 5.97% |
| QGTS:QAQatar Gas Transport Co Ltd | 4.64% | 0.01% | 4.63% |
| ORDS:LNOoredoo Qpsc | 4.53% | 0.01% | 4.52% |
| QIIK:QAQatar International Islamic Bank | 4.34% | 0.01% | 4.33% |
| QFLS:QAQatar Fuel Qsc | 2.93% | 0.01% | 2.92% |
| DHBK:QADoha Bank Qpsc | 2.72% | 0.01% | 2.71% |
| MPHC:QAMesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co | 2.55% | 0.00% | 2.55% |
| QEWS:QAQatar Electricity And Water | 2.52% | 0.00% | 2.52% |
80.5% of QAT 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QAT or VXUS?
QAT has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QAT or VXUS?
Over the past year QAT returned -7.48% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), QAT annualized -0.99% vs +5.45% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QAT or VXUS?
QAT has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: QAT -51.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both QAT and VXUS?
QAT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, 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 QAT and VXUS?
At least 80.5% of QAT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in QAT and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QAT or VXUS?
QAT yields 4.93% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so QAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QAT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.