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ETF Comparison

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

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

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • IXUSInvestors who want higher current income (2.58% vs 0.73% for VXUS).
  • VXUSInvestors 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

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

IXUS has outpaced VXUS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 18.61% total return against 18.48%. Over 10 years the two are effectively even, compounding at 9.26% and 9.26% a year. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Oct 2012Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
IXUS12.78%18.61%21.07%9.39%9.26%7.77%15.5%0.951.38-13.7%
VXUS12.44%18.48%20.89%9.43%9.26%7.82%15.4%0.951.37-13.6%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Oct 2012” measures every fund from October 22, 2012 — the start of shared available history — 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.
MetricIXUSVXUS
Full nameiShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETFVanguard Total International Stock ETF
IssueriSharesVanguard
Underlying indexMSCI ACWI ex USA IMI IndexFTSE Global All Cap ex US Index
Last Close$95.58 as of October 2, 2026$85.43 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate2.58%0.73%
Trailing 12-month yield2.93%2.32%
Distribution Safety Score™ 7761
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.99%0.45%
Expense ratio0.07%0.05%
AUM$59.7B$165B
Distribution frequencySemi-AnnualQuarterly
ObjectiveProvide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.Track the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, covering non-U.S. developed and emerging stocks.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date10/18/201201/26/2011
Beta0.920.92
Last dividend$1.233$0.156
Ex-dividend date06/15/202609/18/2026

Bottom lineChoose IXUS if you want higher current income (2.58% vs 0.73% for VXUS). Choose VXUS if you want broad equity exposure.

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Income calculator

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

iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4683B

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$4676B

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 VXUS.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

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

IXUS offers the higher yield at 2.58% vs 0.73% for VXUS. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VXUS is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.05% compared to 0.07%.

They have different reference exposures: IXUS is linked to MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index while VXUS is linked to FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VXUS is the larger fund by assets ($165B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose IXUS

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

  • Want higher current income — IXUS yields 2.58% vs 0.73% for VXUS.
  • Want broad equity exposure.

Choose VXUS

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

  • Want broad equity exposure.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.05% expense ratio vs 0.07% for IXUS.

Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IXUS would generate roughly $129.00 cash per distribution, while VXUS would produce $18.25 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.

IXUS yield2.58%
VXUS yield0.73%
Cash diff on $10K$110.75

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IXUS would cost approximately $70 in fees vs $50 for VXUS (simplified, not compounded). The $20.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IXUS ER0.07%
VXUS ER0.05%

Strategy & risk

IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index with an index approach, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index with an international approach.

IXUS beta0.92
VXUS beta0.92

Fund details

IXUS is managed by iShares (launched 10/18/2012) with $59.7B in assets. VXUS is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2011) with $165B in assets.

IXUS AUM$59.7B
VXUS AUM$165B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for IXUS and VXUS?

IXUS currently distributes 2.58% and VXUS 0.73%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is IXUS or VXUS 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 VXUS?

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

Can I hold both IXUS and VXUS?

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 VXUS 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 77, VXUS scores 61, 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 VXUS?

IXUS has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in IXUS would generate roughly $129.00 cash per distribution ($258.00 annually). The same in VXUS would produce about $18.25 cash per distribution ($73.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IXUS or VXUS?

IXUS has outpaced VXUS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 18.61% total return against 18.48%. Over 10 years the two are effectively even, compounding at 9.26% and 9.26% a year. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

IXUS vs VXUS — at a glance

Generated October 3, 2026.

Overview

IXUS and VXUS are both broad international equity ETFs tracking non-U.S. stock markets, but they differ meaningfully in index construction and dividend treatment. The funds have nearly identical beta and expense ratios but diverge sharply on yield and distribution frequency. This suggests IXUS's index methodology or underlying holdings generate higher dividend income, or that VXUS reinvests more gains. Expense ratios are nearly identical at 0.07% for IXUS and 0.05% for VXUS—a 0.02% difference, immaterial for most investors.

Who each is best for

IXUS: Investors seeking a mid-cap-weighted international portfolio with higher current yield, particularly those who value semi-annual distributions or hold positions where reinvestment discipline isn't a constraint.

VXUS: Investors who prioritize exposure to the full international market-cap spectrum (including smaller companies) with lower costs and quarterly payout frequency, or who prefer the simplicity of the largest international equity fund by asset base.

Key risks to know

  • Index overlap and currency exposure: Both funds hold developed and emerging-market equities and are exposed to the same currency fluctuations (euro, yen, sterling, renminbi). Holdings may overlap significantly; verify concentration before pairing with other international positions.
  • Yield source difference: IXUS's 2.58% distribution rate is markedly higher than VXUS's 0.73%. If this reflects capital gains distributions rather than dividend income, IXUS may carry higher tax-drag implications for taxable accounts and may distribute more return-of-capital in down years.
  • Emerging-market and small-cap volatility: Both funds hold emerging-market and smaller-company stocks that experience wider drawdowns than developed-market large caps. Their identical 0.92 beta masks regional concentration differences that could matter during market stress. Both track broad international equities with nearly identical fees and systematic risk, so the choice hinges on yield preference and distribution timing. Past performance 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.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.