Dividend comparison
IXUS vs SPDW: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF and State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IXUS vs SPDW: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SPDW is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.07% for IXUS. On $10,000 that is $4 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 2.99% for IXUS and 3.06% for SPDW. IXUS pays semi-annual, SPDW pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SPDW returned 50.0% versus 43.8% for IXUS, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,005 in SPDW and $14,377 in IXUS.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -29.4% for IXUS and -29.8% for SPDW from peak to trough.
- Diversification. IXUS holds 4,583 positions and SPDW holds 2,437. The ten largest positions make up 13.4% of IXUS and 12.1% of SPDW.
- Overlap. At least 15% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 44 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. SPDW grew its yearly payout 7.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 6.6% for IXUS.
Bottom line: IXUS fits better if you care most about broader diversification. SPDW fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns.
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 | SPDW State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.99% | 3.06% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.80 | $1.52 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Annual |
| Last dividend | $1.2331 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.7220 on Jun 26, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.6% over 4 yrs | 7.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $93.74 | $49.56 |
| Dividend growth streak | 3 years | 3 years |
| Beta | 0.92 | 1.03 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -29.4% | -29.8% |
| Market cap | $57.76B | $40.90B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $57.81B | $41.04B |
| Number of holdings | 4583 | 2437 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.4% | 12.1% |
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
SPDW
$25.49/mo
$306 /yr at 3.06% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IXUS pays semi-annual; SPDW pays annual.
| Year | IXUS | SPDW |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.7409 | $1.4658 |
| 2024 | $2.2010 | $1.0898 |
| 2023 | $2.0299 | $0.9343 |
| 2022 | $1.5236 | $0.9271 |
| 2021 | $2.1253 | $1.1080 |
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 $15,005 in SPDW.
| Period | IXUS | SPDW |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.36% | -2.33% |
| 3 months | 0.68% | 0.36% |
| Year to date | 10.75% | 11.60% |
| 1 year | 11.25% | 13.33% |
| 3 years | 72.76% | 75.99% |
| 5 years | 43.77% | 50.05% |
- IXUS
- SPDW
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
- SPDW
IXUS vs SPDW holdings overlap
At least 15% overlap by weight, with 44 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 | SPDW weight |
|---|---|---|
| ROP.SWROCHE PS PAR AG | 0.77% | 0.98% |
| NOVN.SWNOVARTIS AG | 0.66% | 0.84% |
| RY.TOROYAL BANK OF CANADA | 0.65% | 0.83% |
| NESN.SWNESTLE SA | 0.61% | 0.79% |
| 8306.TMITSUBISHI UFJ FINANCIAL GROUP | 0.56% | 0.81% |
| BHP.AXBHP GROUP LTD | 0.51% | 0.65% |
| SHOP.TOSHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING CLASS A | 0.50% | 0.64% |
| TD.TOTORONTO DOMINION | 0.48% | 0.60% |
| 7203.TTOYOTA MOTOR | 0.44% | 0.72% |
| CBA.AXCOMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA | 0.43% | 0.55% |
Quick verdict
IXUS fits better if you care most about broader diversification. SPDW fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is IXUS or SPDW better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IXUS currently yields 2.99% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SPDW yields 3.06%. 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 SPDW?
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IXUS or SPDW?
SPDW has the lower expense ratio. IXUS charges 0.07% a year and SPDW charges 0.03%, a difference of $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IXUS or SPDW?
Over the last 5 years, SPDW has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IXUS returned 43.8% and SPDW returned 50.0%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IXUS or SPDW?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SPDW has been riskier: IXUS fell as much as 29.4% and SPDW as much as 29.8%. Their betas are 0.92 and 1.03.
How much do IXUS and SPDW overlap?
At least 15% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 44 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are ROP.SW, NOVN.SW, RY.TO. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IXUS and SPDW pay dividends?
IXUS pays semi-annual and SPDW pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in IXUS vs SPDW generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IXUS would generate roughly $24.92 per month ($299 annually). The same amount in SPDW would produce about $25.49 per month ($306 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IXUS and SPDW?
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 SPDW with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IXUS and SPDW 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.