Dividend comparison
VXUS vs IXUS: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VXUS vs IXUS: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% a year versus 0.07% for IXUS. On $10,000 that is $2 a year less in fees.
- Income. IXUS pays more income, yielding 2.99% over the last twelve months versus 2.37% for VXUS. That is about $62 more a year on $10,000. VXUS pays quarterly, IXUS pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VXUS returned 44.9% versus 43.8% for IXUS, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,485 in VXUS and $14,377 in IXUS.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -28.9% for VXUS and -29.4% for IXUS from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VXUS holds 8,602 positions and IXUS holds 4,583. The ten largest positions make up 13.4% of VXUS and 13.4% of IXUS.
- Overlap. At least 36% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 92 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. IXUS grew its yearly payout 6.6% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.1% for VXUS.
- Size. VXUS is the larger fund with $649.3 billion in assets, against $57.8 billion for IXUS.
Bottom line: VXUS fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. IXUS 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 | VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.37% | 2.99% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.98 | $2.80 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.1562 on Sep 22, 2026 | $1.2331 on Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Jun 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 6.6% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $83.74 | $93.74 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 3 years |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.92 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -28.9% | -29.4% |
| Market cap | $667.22B | $57.76B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.07% |
| Assets under management | $649.30B | $57.81B |
| Number of holdings | 8602 | 4583 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.4% | 13.4% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VXUS
$19.75/mo
$237 /yr at 2.37% yield
IXUS
$24.92/mo
$299 /yr at 2.99% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VXUS pays quarterly; IXUS pays semi-annual.
| Year | VXUS | IXUS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.3988 | $2.7409 |
| 2024 | $1.9842 | $2.2010 |
| 2023 | $1.8808 | $2.0299 |
| 2022 | $1.5990 | $1.5236 |
| 2021 | $1.9678 | $2.1253 |
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 $14,485 in VXUS and $14,377 in IXUS.
| Period | VXUS | IXUS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.49% | -2.36% |
| 3 months | 0.44% | 0.68% |
| Year to date | 11.00% | 10.75% |
| 1 year | 11.76% | 11.25% |
| 3 years | 72.73% | 72.76% |
| 5 years | 44.85% | 43.77% |
- VXUS
- IXUS
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.
- VXUS
- IXUS
VXUS vs IXUS holdings overlap
At least 36% overlap by weight, with 92 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 | VXUS weight | IXUS weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 4.24% | 4.38% |
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.02% | 1.84% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 1.54% | 1.56% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 1.65% | 1.27% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 0.76% | 0.78% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 0.76% | 0.77% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.65% | 0.77% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.62% | 0.72% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.61% | 0.65% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.59% | 0.66% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VXUS8602 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 4.24% |
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.02% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 1.65% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 1.54% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 0.76% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 0.76% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.65% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.62% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.61% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.59% |
IXUS4583 holdings total
Quick verdict
VXUS fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. IXUS 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
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Frequently asked questions
Is VXUS or IXUS better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VXUS currently yields 2.37% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while IXUS yields 2.99%. 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 VXUS and IXUS?
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VXUS or IXUS?
VXUS has the lower expense ratio. VXUS charges 0.05% a year and IXUS charges 0.07%, a difference of $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VXUS or IXUS?
Over the last 5 years, VXUS has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VXUS returned 44.9% and IXUS returned 43.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VXUS or IXUS?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IXUS has been riskier: VXUS fell as much as 28.9% and IXUS as much as 29.4%. Their betas are 0.92 and 0.92.
How much do VXUS and IXUS overlap?
At least 36% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 92 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are 2330.TW, 005930.KS, ASML.AS. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VXUS and IXUS pay dividends?
VXUS pays quarterly and IXUS pays semi-annual.
How much income does $10,000 in VXUS vs IXUS generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VXUS would generate roughly $19.75 per month ($237 annually). The same amount in IXUS would produce about $24.92 per month ($299 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VXUS and IXUS?
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 VXUS vs IXUS with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VXUS and IXUS 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.