Dividend comparison
IXUS vs IEFA: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IXUS vs IEFA: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.07% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. IEFA pays more income, yielding 3.40% over the last twelve months versus 2.99% for IXUS. That is about $41 more a year on $10,000. Both pay semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, IEFA returned 43.9% versus 43.8% for IXUS, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,389 in IEFA and $14,377 in IXUS.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -29.4% for IXUS and -30.0% for IEFA from peak to trough.
- Diversification. IXUS holds 4,583 positions and IEFA holds 2,626. The ten largest positions make up 13.4% of IXUS and 12.2% of IEFA.
- Overlap. At least 25% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 75 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. IEFA grew its yearly payout 7.7% a year over the last 4 years, versus 6.6% for IXUS.
- Size. IEFA is the larger fund with $190.1 billion in assets, against $57.8 billion for IXUS.
Bottom line: IXUS fits better if you care most about broader diversification. IEFA fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.99% | 3.40% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.80 | $3.29 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $1.2331 on Jun 18, 2026 | $1.5781 on Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Jun 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.6% over 4 yrs | 7.7% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $93.74 | $96.71 |
| Dividend growth streak | 3 years | 5 years |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.89 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -29.4% | -30.0% |
| Market cap | $57.76B | $190.07B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | CBOE |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.07% |
| Assets under management | $57.81B | $190.09B |
| Number of holdings | 4583 | 2626 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.4% | 12.2% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IXUS
$24.92/mo
$299 /yr at 2.99% yield
IEFA
$28.34/mo
$340 /yr at 3.40% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IXUS pays semi-annual; IEFA pays semi-annual.
| Year | IXUS | IEFA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.7409 | $3.1771 |
| 2024 | $2.2010 | $2.4401 |
| 2023 | $2.0299 | $2.2518 |
| 2022 | $1.5236 | $1.7762 |
| 2021 | $2.1253 | $2.3656 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $14,377 in IXUS and $14,389 in IEFA.
| Period | IXUS | IEFA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.36% | -1.31% |
| 3 months | 0.68% | 0.48% |
| Year to date | 10.75% | 8.10% |
| 1 year | 11.25% | 8.87% |
| 3 years | 72.76% | 66.45% |
| 5 years | 43.77% | 43.89% |
- IXUS
- IEFA
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- IXUS
- IEFA
IXUS vs IEFA holdings overlap
At least 25% overlap by weight, with 75 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | IXUS weight | IEFA weight |
|---|---|---|
| ASML.ASASML HOLDING | 1.56% | 2.56% |
| ROP.SWROCHE PS PAR AG | 0.77% | 1.28% |
| HSBA.LHSBC HOLDINGS PLC | 0.77% | 1.29% |
| SHEL.LSHELL | 0.72% | 1.21% |
| NOVN.SWNOVARTIS AG | 0.66% | 1.10% |
| NESN.SWNESTLE SA | 0.61% | 1.02% |
| AZN.LASTRAZENECA PLC | 0.59% | 1.00% |
| 8306.TMITSUBISHI UFJ FINANCIAL GROUP | 0.56% | 0.93% |
| SAP.DESAP | 0.54% | 0.90% |
| SIE.DESIEMENS N AG | 0.52% | 0.88% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IXUS4583 holdings total
Quick verdict
IXUS fits better if you care most about broader diversification. IEFA fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IXUS vs IEFA fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IXUS or IEFA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IXUS currently yields 2.99% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while IEFA yields 3.40%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between IXUS and IEFA?
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an ETF listed on CBOE. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IXUS or IEFA?
They cost about the same: IXUS charges 0.07% a year and IEFA charges 0.07%.
Which has performed better, IXUS or IEFA?
Over the last 5 years, IEFA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IXUS returned 43.8% and IEFA returned 43.9%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IXUS or IEFA?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IEFA has been riskier: IXUS fell as much as 29.4% and IEFA as much as 30.0%. Their betas are 0.92 and 0.89.
How much do IXUS and IEFA overlap?
At least 25% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 75 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are ASML.AS, ROP.SW, HSBA.L. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IXUS and IEFA pay dividends?
Both pay semi-annual. The most recent payments were $1.2331 for IXUS and $1.5781 for IEFA.
How much income does $10,000 in IXUS vs IEFA generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IXUS would generate roughly $24.92 per month ($299 annually). The same amount in IEFA would produce about $28.34 per month ($340 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IXUS and IEFA?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare IXUS vs IEFA with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IXUS and IEFA fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.