IDEF vs VXUS
iShares Defense Industrials and Tech Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IDEF or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | IDEF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.7B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.34% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 163 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -4.25% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.72% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.7% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $12,104 | $13,025Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 19, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 21, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.4 years).
IDEF 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
IDEF vs VXUS Performance
iShares Defense Industrials and Tech Active ETF (IDEF) 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 IDEF returned -4.72% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, IDEF is down 4.25% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IDEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 13.0% 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 -17.7% for IDEF and -11.3% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IDEF charges 0.55% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $5 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDEF currently yields 0.34% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 25.2% of IDEF'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.
IDEF and VXUS share little of their money.
37 positions in common, counted across the 141 positions we hold weights for in IDEF and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 163 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IDEF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR:LNRolls Royce Holdings Plc Common Stock Gbp.2 | 3.37% | 0.37% | 3.00% |
| HO:PAThales Sa | 2.06% | 0.06% | 2.00% |
| 7011:JPMitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Com Stk | 1.67% | 0.17% | 1.50% |
| 272210:KRHanwha Systems Co Ltd | 1.74% | 0.01% | 1.73% |
| LDO:MILeonardo Spa | 1.55% | 0.05% | 1.50% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 1.31% | 0.29% | 1.02% |
| RHM:SGRheinmetall Ag | 1.08% | 0.13% | 0.95% |
| 6503:JPMitsubishi Electric Corp. Com Stk | 1.05% | 0.15% | 0.90% |
| ESLT:ILElbit Systems Ltd | 0.99% | 0.04% | 0.95% |
| KOG:OSKongsberg Gruppen | 0.86% | 0.03% | 0.83% |
25.2% of IDEF 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, IDEF or VXUS?
IDEF has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IDEF or VXUS?
Over the past year IDEF returned -4.72% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IDEF annualized +14.61% vs +20.78% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IDEF or VXUS?
IDEF has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 13.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IDEF -17.7% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both IDEF and VXUS?
IDEF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 IDEF and VXUS?
At least 25.2% of IDEF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 141 positions we hold weights for in IDEF and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IDEF or VXUS?
IDEF yields 0.34% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IDEF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.