IEFA vs VXUS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, IEFA yields more: 3.39% (dividend yield) against 2.42% for VXUS. VXUS is cheaper to own at 0.05% a year vs 0.07%. Over the same 14 years (Oct 2012 to Oct 2026), IEFA returned 8.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and VXUS 7.6%.
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares2.42%dividend yield| Compared | IEFA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.39% | 2.42% |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.05% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +13.3% | +13.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +19.5% | +20.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +8.2% | +8.1% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.2% | +9.1% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2012 | -28.6% | -27.7% |
| Share price since Oct 2012 | +102% | +85% |
| Pays | Semiannual | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $189.3B | $646.6B |
| Started | 2012 | 2011 |
| Type | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
Higher yield
IEFA
3.39%
Lower cost
VXUS
0.05%
Better total return
IEFA
8.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VXUS
-27.7%
Key facts: IEFA vs VXUS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IEFA yields 3.39% (dividend yield) and VXUS yields 2.42% (dividend yield).
- IEFA's expense ratio is 0.07% and VXUS's is 0.05%: $7 vs $5 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in IEFA grew to $30,097 (8.2% a year) and $10,000 in VXUS to $27,941 (7.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -28.6% for IEFA and -27.7% for VXUS.
- 5 of IEFA's top ten holdings are also in VXUS's top ten, an overlap of at least 4% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IEFA vs VXUS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/iefa-vs-vxus
$10,000 in each, Oct 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IEFA became
$30,097
8.2% a year
VXUS became
$27,941
7.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | IEFA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +32.1% | +32.3% |
| 2024 | +3.3% | +5.1% |
| 2023 | +17.9% | +15.9% |
| 2022 | −15.3% | −16.1% |
| 2021 | +11.6% | +9.0% |
| 2020 | +8.2% | +10.7% |
| 2019 | +22.6% | +21.7% |
| 2018 | −14.1% | −14.4% |
| 2017 | +26.6% | +27.5% |
| 2016 | +1.6% | +4.8% |
| 2015 | +0.7% | −4.2% |
| 2014 | −6.3% | −4.7% |
| 2013 | +22.5% | +14.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
5 of the top ten overlap, at least 4% of each fund.
IEFA
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.5%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new1.4%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC1.3%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares1.2%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.2%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC1.1%
- NESN.SW Nestle SA1.1%
- SAP.DE SAP SE1.0%
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc0.9%
- SIE.DE Siemens AG0.9%
VXUS
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd4.3%
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd2.0%
- SK hynix Inc1.7%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV1.6%
- Tencent Holdings Ltd0.8%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC0.8%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new0.7%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC0.6%
- RY Royal Bank of Canada0.6%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares0.6%
IEFA vs VXUS: questions
Is IEFA or VXUS better?
It depends on the job. IEFA pays more today (3.39% vs 2.42%), VXUS costs less, and IEFA has the better total return over Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, with VXUS holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEFA or VXUS?
IEFA, at 3.39% against 2.42% for VXUS as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $339 vs $242 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
IEFA. From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 8.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 7.6% for VXUS. $10,000 became $30,097 vs $27,941.
Which is cheaper, IEFA or VXUS?
VXUS, with a 0.05% expense ratio against 0.07%.
Do IEFA and VXUS hold the same things?
Partly. 5 of their top ten holdings match (ASML.AS, HSBA.L, ROP.SW, SHEL.L), at least 4% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. IEFA leads on 5 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.