AIA vs VXUS
iShares Asia 50 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AIA or VXUS?
AIA has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AIA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AIA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.7B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 64 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +32.09%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +45.62%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +36.85%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.45%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.5% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,794Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
AIA vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 15.7 years both funds cover.
AIA vs VXUS Performance
iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AIA returned +45.62% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, AIA is up 32.09% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, AIA compounded at +36.85% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.45% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, AIA has the edge at +7.65% annualized vs +4.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.5% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -54.8% for AIA and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIA charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIA currently yields 1.51% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 31.6% of AIA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in AIA and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 64 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AIA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc Common Stock TWD10.0 | 4.69% | 0.40% | 4.29% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 4.16% | 0.59% | 3.57% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 2.15% | 0.24% | 1.91% |
| 005935:KRSamsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (preference Shares) | 1.94% | 0.24% | 1.70% |
| 1299:HKAia Group Ltd | 1.82% | 0.22% | 1.60% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 1.82% | 0.21% | 1.61% |
| 1398:HKIndustrial And Commercial Bank Of China Ltd Class H | 1.47% | 0.17% | 1.30% |
| 402340:KRSK Square Co. Ltd. | 1.43% | 0.15% | 1.28% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 1.44% | 0.13% | 1.31% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd. | 1.21% | 0.11% | 1.10% |
31.6% of AIA is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AIA or VXUS?
AIA has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AIA or VXUS?
Over the past year AIA returned +45.62% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so AIA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AIA annualized +7.65% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIA or VXUS?
AIA has been the more volatile fund at 20.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: AIA -54.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both AIA and VXUS?
AIA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AIA and VXUS?
At least 31.6% of AIA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in AIA and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AIA or VXUS?
AIA yields 1.51% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AIA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. AIA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.