URTH vs VXUS
iShares MSCI World ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, URTH or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. URTH 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 | URTH | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $8.2B | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,310 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +11.10% | +11.16%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.55% | +17.13%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.41%Best | +20.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.63%Best | +9.18% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.0%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,334Best | $15,514 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 10, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 12, 2012 to Oct 1, 2026 (14.7 years).
URTH 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 14.7 years both funds cover.
URTH vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) 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 URTH returned +14.55% while VXUS returned +17.13%. Year to date, URTH is up 11.10% versus a gain of 11.16% for VXUS.
Over three years, URTH compounded at +21.41% per year against +20.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.63% and +9.18% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, URTH has the edge at +10.64% annualized vs +6.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 13.9% for URTH. 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 -34.0% for URTH 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
URTH charges 0.24% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $5 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, URTH currently yields 1.36% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 20.7% of URTH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
URTH and VXUS share little of their money.
542 positions in common, counted across the 1,222 positions we hold weights for in URTH and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,310 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in URTH | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.39% | 0.82% | 0.43% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.31% | 0.66% | 0.35% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.28% | 0.65% | 0.37% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.29% | 0.57% | 0.28% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.27% | 0.58% | 0.31% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.26% | 0.57% | 0.31% |
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.02% | 0.76% | 0.74% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 0.24% | 0.54% | 0.30% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander | 0.24% | 0.46% | 0.22% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.22% | 0.45% | 0.23% |
20.7% of URTH 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, URTH or VXUS?
URTH has an expense ratio of 0.24% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, URTH or VXUS?
Over the past year URTH returned +14.55% vs +17.13% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), URTH annualized +10.64% vs +6.09% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, URTH or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 13.9% for URTH. Worst drawdown: URTH -34.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both URTH and VXUS?
URTH 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 URTH and VXUS?
At least 20.7% of URTH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 542 positions in common, counted across the 1,222 positions we hold weights for in URTH and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, URTH or VXUS?
URTH yields 1.36% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than URTH?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. URTH 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.