ETF Comparison

IXUS vs VEA: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 19, 2026

Best for

IXUSInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
VEAInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

IXUS has lagged VEA over the trailing twelve months, posting a 25.24% total return against 27.42%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VEA has compounded at 10.04% a year, against 9.41% for IXUS. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since Oct 2012	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
IXUS	14.65%	25.24%	20.65%	9.46%	9.41%	7.96%	15.5%	0.93	1.35	-13.7%
VEA	16.04%	27.42%	21.38%	10.42%	10.04%	8.93%	15.8%	0.95	1.38	-13.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Oct 2012” measures every fund from October 22, 2012 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
Metric	IXUS	VEA
Full name	iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
Issuer	iShares	Vanguard
Last Close	$96.53 as of August 19, 2026	$72.39 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield	2.55%	2.08%
Distribution Safety Score™	98	89
Expense ratio	0.07%	0.03%
AUM	$60.9B	$239B
Distribution frequency	Semi-Annual	Quarterly
Underlying index	MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index	FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index
Objective	Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.	Track the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	10/18/2012	07/20/2007
Beta	0.93	0.97
Last dividend	$1.2330	$0.3770
Ex-dividend date	06/15/2026	06/18/2026

Bottom lineIXUS and VEA are both for investors who want broad equity exposure — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Fees and payouts are close too, so it comes down to which your broker offers commission-free and any share-price or tax-lot preference.

Model this comparison:

Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

iShares

ETFs473

Total AUM$4710B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IXUS.

See all iShares ETFs

Vanguard

ETFs116

Total AUM$4703B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VEA.

See all Vanguard ETFs

Want to go deeper?

Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — free to start, no credit card.

Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Quick verdict

IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

IXUS offers the higher yield at 2.55% vs 2.08% for VEA. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VEA is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.07%.

They track different benchmarks: IXUS is linked to MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VEA is the larger fund by assets ($239B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Still deciding? Track IXUS & VEA for free

Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.

Add to my watchlist See what a free account includes

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IXUS would generate roughly $21.25/month, while VEA would produce $17.33/month, at current distribution rates.

IXUS yield2.55%

VEA yield2.08%

Monthly diff on $10K$3.92

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IXUS would cost approximately $70 in fees vs $30 for VEA (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IXUS ER0.07%

VEA ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index with an index approach, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index with an international approach. Beta is 0.93 for IXUS and 0.97 for VEA — effectively similar market sensitivity.

IXUS beta0.93

VEA beta0.97

Fund details

IXUS is managed by iShares (launched 10/18/2012) with $60.9B in assets. VEA is managed by Vanguard (launched 07/20/2007) with $239B in assets.

IXUS AUM$60.9B

VEA AUM$239B

Ready to act?

Open in Comparator Model in portfolio See pricing

Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for IXUS and VEA?

IXUS currently distributes 2.55% and VEA 2.08%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is IXUS or VEA better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. IXUS currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between IXUS and VEA?

IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index with an index approach, while VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index with an international approach. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both IXUS and VEA?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is IXUS or VEA safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — IXUS scores 98, VEA scores 89, so IXUS's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, IXUS or VEA?

IXUS has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VEA charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in IXUS vs VEA generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IXUS would generate roughly $21.25 per month ($255.00 annually). The same in VEA would produce about $17.33 per month ($208.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IXUS or VEA?

More comparisons to explore

People also compare IXUS with

People also compare VEA with

Popular comparisons

IXUS vs VEA — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

IXUS and VEA are both low-cost index ETFs tracking developed and emerging markets outside the US, but they differ in scope and distribution philosophy. IXUS holds the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index—which includes emerging markets plus smaller-cap names in developed countries—while VEA tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, limiting itself to developed markets only. The choice between them hinges on whether you want emerging-market exposure and a semi-annual payout, or developed-markets focus with quarterly distributions.

How they differ

The fundamental difference is geographic and market-cap scope: IXUS includes emerging markets (roughly 30% of its portfolio) and covers small-cap stocks, whereas VEA excludes emerging markets and focuses on developed-market equities. IXUS yields 2.52% on a semi-annual schedule; VEA yields 2.05% quarterly, reflecting both the higher emerging-market dividend contribution in IXUS and the structural difference in underlying indexes. VEA is significantly larger at $235B in AUM versus IXUS at $59.9B, and VEA's expense ratio is marginally lower at 0.05% compared to IXUS's 0.07%—a negligible difference in absolute terms but meaningful over decades. Beta is nearly identical (IXUS 0.93, VEA 0.97), suggesting comparable volatility relative to the US market.

Who each is best for

IXUS: Fits investors who want a single international holding that captures both developed and emerging markets in one fund, and who are comfortable receiving distributions semi-annually rather than quarterly.

VEA: Designed for investors who prefer to isolate developed-market exposure separately from emerging markets, or who value quarterly dividend frequency and favor Vanguard's platform; also suits those seeking to pair it with a dedicated emerging-markets ETF for more granular control.

Key risks to know

Emerging-market currency and political exposure in IXUS: The roughly 30% allocation to emerging markets in IXUS introduces currency fluctuation and geopolitical risk absent from VEA; emerging-market equities can experience sharper downturns during risk-off periods.

Developed-market concentration in VEA: By excluding emerging markets, VEA concentrates geographic exposure primarily in Europe, Japan, and Australia, which may underperform if emerging markets outpace developed economies.

Semi-annual vs. quarterly distribution frequency: IXUS's semi-annual distributions mean less frequent reinvestment opportunity compared to VEA; over long periods this timing difference is immaterial, but it affects cash-flow planning.

Index methodology divergence: The MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI and FTSE Developed All Cap ex US indexes weight countries, sectors, and market caps differently, so performance gaps can widen or narrow depending on which market segments lead.

Bottom line

If you want one international fund that captures both developed and emerging markets and don't mind semi-annual payouts, IXUS delivers that in a lean package. If you prefer developed-markets-only exposure with quarterly income, or plan to supplement with a separate emerging-markets holding, VEA's larger AUM and marginally lower fee offer those advantages. The yield and fee differences are modest; your choice depends on whether you need emerging-market exposure and how important distribution frequency is to your income plan. Past performance of either index does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio

See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.

Start Free Open in Comparator Browse Screener