What is the primary difference between IXUS and VXUS?

The primary differences lie in their expense ratios and net asset bases. IXUS charges a 0.07% expense ratio with $59.6 billion in net assets, whereas VXUS has a lower 0.05% expense ratio and a significantly larger net asset base of $164.0 billion. Both are Foreign Large Blend ETFs, but these cost and scale metrics are key differentiators for investors comparing them. Understanding these figures helps in evaluating operational efficiency and market impact for each fund.

How should investors interpret the expense ratio differences?

Expense ratios represent the annual cost of managing an ETF. IXUS has a 0.07% fee, while VXUS has a 0.05% fee. This 0.02% difference may seem small, but it compounds over time. Lower fees generally mean more of the gross return remains in the investor's pocket. When comparing ETFs, even minor fee distinctions can influence long-term net returns, making the expense ratio a critical factor for cost-sensitive investors.

Why is net asset size important for an ETF?

Net assets indicate the total value of investments held by an ETF, influencing liquidity and operational scale. VXUS has $164.0 billion in net assets, compared to IXUS's $59.6 billion. Larger funds often benefit from better liquidity and potentially tighter spreads due to higher trading volumes. However, very large bases can sometimes present challenges in tracking efficiency or maintaining flexibility. Investors weigh these factors when assessing the stability and tradeability of the fund.

How do the inception dates of these ETFs compare?

VXUS has a longer track record, having been launched on 26 January 2011. IXUS was inceptioned later, on 18 October 2012. While both funds have been available for over a decade, the earlier inception of VXUS provides a slightly longer historical period for assessing performance. Investors often consider inception dates to evaluate how a fund has performed across different market cycles, though past performance does not guarantee future results.

What is the shared top-10 holdings overlap between IXUS and VXUS?

Based on the available data, there are none among the listed top holdings for both IXUS and VXUS. The specific top holdings and sector weights are not available in the provided ground truth. Consequently, a detailed comparison of portfolio concentration or specific stock overlap cannot be made from the current dataset. Investors looking for granular portfolio analysis would need to consult additional sources for detailed holdings data.

How do the dividend yields of IXUS and VXUS differ?

IXUS offers a dividend yield of 2.88%, which is higher than VXUS's yield of 2.28%. This difference suggests that IXUS may provide a more prominent income component for investors focused on distributions. However, yield is just one factor; total return and tax implications also matter. Investors seeking income might prefer the higher yield, while those focused on growth might look beyond yield to assess overall fund performance and expense structures.

What index do these ETFs track?

The specific index tracked by both IXUS and VXUS is not available in the provided data. Generally, funds with names like 'Total International Stock' track broad international equity indices. IXUS is associated with the MSCI Total International Stock Index, and VXUS with a global total market index, but without explicit confirmation in the ground truth, investors should rely on general knowledge that they aim to provide broad exposure to non-domestic markets, excluding the US.

What category do these ETFs fall under?

Both IXUS and VXUS fall under the 'Foreign Large Blend' category. This classification indicates that they invest in large-cap companies from international markets with a mix of growth and value characteristics. This shared category means they target similar segments of the global equity market, excluding domestic stocks. Understanding the category helps investors align these funds with their asset allocation strategies for international diversification.

What should investors consider when choosing between these two funds?

Investors should compare costs, yields, and liquidity. VXUS has a lower expense ratio (0.05%) and larger net assets ($164.0 billion), potentially offering better trading liquidity and cost efficiency. IXUS offers a higher dividend yield (2.88% vs 2.28%), which may appeal to income-focused investors. Since detailed holdings are not available, decision-making relies heavily on these headline metrics and personal investment goals regarding income versus cost.

Is there detailed sector weight data available for comparison?

No, sector weights for both IXUS and VXUS are not available in the provided data. Without this information, investors cannot assess how each fund allocates capital across different industries like technology, healthcare, or financials. This lack of granularity makes it difficult to determine if one fund is more concentrated in specific sectors than the other. Investors requiring sector-specific exposure analysis must look beyond this summary data.

What is the educational disclaimer for this comparison?

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The data provided reflects specific metrics such as expense ratios, net assets, and yields as of 22 September 2026. Figures may change over time. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

IXUS vs VXUS

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) and VXUS (Total International Stock Vanguard ETF) on fees, holdings, dividends and tracking. IXUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, VXUS 0.05%. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

IXUS

Metric

VXUS

0.07%

Expense Ratio

0.05%

2.88%

Dividend Yield

2.28%

$59.60B

Net Assets

$164.04B

4,660

Holdings

8,860

Oct 18, 2012

Inception Date

Jan 26, 2011

–

Index Tracked

–

Foreign Large Blend

Fund Category

Foreign Large Blend

VXUS costs about $2.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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Investment Analysis

IXUS

Pros

Expense ratio of 0.07% is competitive for total international market exposure.
Net assets of $59.6 billion provide substantial scale for institutional and retail investors.
Dividend yield of 2.88% offers a more prominent income component for investors.

Considerations

Higher expense ratio of 0.07% compared to lower-cost alternatives in the same category.
Smaller net asset base of $59.6 billion may imply slightly less market depth than larger peers.
Lower dividend yield of 2.28% relative to other international equity options could reduce income appeal.

VXUS

Pros

Expense ratio of 0.05% is exceptionally low for a total international stock ETF.
Net assets of $164.0 billion indicate significant market size and potential for greater liquidity.
Longer track record since its inception in January 2011 demonstrates established fund management performance.

Considerations

Dividend yield of 2.28% is lower, potentially making it less attractive for income-focused investors.
Very large net asset base of $164.0 billion may introduce challenges in maintaining tracking efficiency.
Absence of detailed top holdings and sector weights information hinders transparent, granular portfolio analysis.

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About IXUS and VXUS

IXUS (IXUS)

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an exchange-traded fund designed to provide broad exposure to international equity markets outside of the United States. It focuses on large and mid-cap stocks across developed and emerging markets, excluding North America. With a vast portfolio of over 4,600 holdings, the fund offers investors a convenient way to diversify their portfolios globally. It has a low expense ratio of 0.07% and net assets of approximately USD 59.60 billion, making it a cost-effective option for accessing international markets. The fund has provided a dividend yield of 2.88% and aims to track the performance of its underlying benchmark index. However, investors should note that while this fund offers significant diversification, international markets carry their own set of risks, including currency fluctuations and geopolitical instability. As always, remember that values can go down as well as up.

VXUS (VXUS)

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) offers investors broad exposure to non‑US equities across developed and emerging markets. The fund tracks a global index that excludes the United States and holds thousands of stocks spanning large-, mid- and small-cap companies. It is structured as a passive, market‑capitalisation‑weighted ETF, which aims to replicate international equity market performance while keeping trading simplicity and diversification benefits. VXUS is typically unhedged to sterling or other home currencies, so returns can be affected by currency movements as well as underlying stock performance. Investors should note that, like all equity funds, values can fall as well as rise and past performance does not guarantee future results. This summary provides general, educational information and is not personalised investment advice; suitability depends on an individual’s circumstances, risk tolerance and investment horizon.

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IXUS vs VXUS

Fund Snapshot