TOK vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, TOK or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TOK led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | TOK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $246M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,136 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.58% | +14.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.95% | +24.27%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.27%Best | +19.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.45%Best | +9.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,195Best | $15,436 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 10, 2007 | 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 9, 2026 (15.6 years).
TOK 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.
TOK vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) 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 TOK returned +17.95% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, TOK is up 11.58% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, TOK compounded at +20.27% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.45% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, TOK has the edge at +9.64% annualized vs +4.85%.
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 14.4% for TOK. 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 -34.8% for TOK 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TOK charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TOK currently yields 1.27% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 15.8% of TOK'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.
TOK and VXUS share little of their money.
297 positions in common, counted across the 892 positions we hold weights for in TOK and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 1,136 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TOK | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding N.V. | 0.85% | 1.70% | 0.85% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.39% | 0.72% | 0.33% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.34% | 0.65% | 0.31% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.34% | 0.64% | 0.30% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 0.34% | 0.62% | 0.28% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.31% | 0.59% | 0.28% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 0.28% | 0.52% | 0.24% |
| SHELShell plc | 0.26% | 0.48% | 0.22% |
| TD:CAToronto Dominion Bank/The | 0.24% | 0.45% | 0.21% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 0.24% | 0.45% | 0.21% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TOK 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, TOK or VXUS?
TOK has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TOK or VXUS?
Over the past year TOK returned +17.95% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), TOK annualized +9.64% vs +4.85% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TOK or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.4% for TOK. Worst drawdown: TOK -34.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both TOK and VXUS?
TOK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between TOK and VXUS?
At least 15.8% of TOK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 297 positions in common, counted across the 892 positions we hold weights for in TOK and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, TOK or VXUS?
TOK yields 1.27% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than TOK?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. TOK led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.