IAK vs VXUS
iShares US Insurance ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IAK or VXUS?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | IAK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $441M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.63% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 140 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +7.53% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.96% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.31% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.61%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,927Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | 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).
IAK 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.
IAK vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Insurance ETF (IAK) 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 IAK returned +8.96% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, IAK is up 7.53% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, IAK compounded at +16.31% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.61% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IAK has the edge at +10.82% annualized vs +4.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% 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 -45.0% for IAK 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAK charges 0.37% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $5 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAK currently yields 2.63% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 60 holdings in IAK and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 91.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in IAK and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 140 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IAK and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IAK or VXUS?
IAK has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAK or VXUS?
Over the past year IAK returned +8.96% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IAK annualized +10.82% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAK or VXUS?
IAK has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IAK -45.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IAK and VXUS?
IAK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IAK or VXUS?
IAK yields 2.63% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so IAK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IAK?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.