IXUS vs VXUS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, IXUS yields more: 3.06% (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), VXUS returned 7.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and IXUS 7.6%.
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares2.42%dividend yield| Compared | IXUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.06% | 2.42% |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.05% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +13.5% | +13.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +20.6% | +20.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +8.1% | +8.1% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.1% | +9.1% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2012 | -28.4% | -27.7% |
| Share price since Oct 2012 | +91% | +85% |
| Pays | Semiannual | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $56.8B | $646.6B |
| Started | 2012 | 2011 |
| Type | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
Higher yield
IXUS
3.06%
Lower cost
VXUS
0.05%
Better total return
VXUS
7.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VXUS
-27.7%
Key facts: IXUS vs VXUS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IXUS yields 3.06% (dividend yield) and VXUS yields 2.42% (dividend yield).
- IXUS'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 IXUS grew to $27,808 (7.6% a year) and $10,000 in VXUS to $27,941 (7.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -28.4% for IXUS and -27.7% for VXUS.
- 9 of IXUS's top ten holdings are also in VXUS's top ten, an overlap of at least 12% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IXUS vs VXUS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ixus-vs-vxus
$10,000 in each, Oct 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IXUS became
$27,808
7.6% a year
VXUS became
$27,941
7.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | IXUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +32.4% | +32.3% |
| 2024 | +5.2% | +5.1% |
| 2023 | +15.8% | +15.9% |
| 2022 | −16.5% | −16.1% |
| 2021 | +8.9% | +9.0% |
| 2020 | +10.8% | +10.7% |
| 2019 | +21.7% | +21.7% |
| 2018 | −14.4% | −14.4% |
| 2017 | +28.1% | +27.5% |
| 2016 | +4.7% | +4.8% |
| 2015 | −4.7% | −4.2% |
| 2014 | −5.0% | −4.7% |
| 2013 | +13.7% | +14.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 12% of each fund.
IXUS
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd4.3%
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd1.9%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV1.5%
- SK hynix Inc1.4%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new0.8%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC0.8%
- Tencent Holdings Ltd0.7%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares0.7%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC0.7%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC0.7%
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%
IXUS vs VXUS: questions
Is IXUS or VXUS better?
It depends on the job. IXUS pays more today (3.06% vs 2.42%), VXUS costs less, and VXUS 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, IXUS or VXUS?
IXUS, at 3.06% against 2.42% for VXUS as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $306 vs $242 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VXUS. From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 7.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 7.6% for IXUS. $10,000 became $27,941 vs $27,808.
Which is cheaper, IXUS or VXUS?
VXUS, with a 0.05% expense ratio against 0.07%.
Do IXUS and VXUS hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, ASML.AS, SK hynix Inc), at least 12% 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. IXUS leads on 5 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.