IGF vs VXUS
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IGF or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IGF 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 | IGF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10.5B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.14% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 94 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +3.13% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.02% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.80% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.59%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -42.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,099Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 10, 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).
IGF 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.
IGF vs VXUS Performance
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) 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 IGF returned +5.02% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, IGF is up 3.13% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, IGF compounded at +16.80% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.59% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IGF has the edge at +4.60% annualized vs +4.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.2% for IGF. 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 -42.1% for IGF 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGF 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, IGF currently yields 3.14% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 54.5% of IGF'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.
36 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in IGF and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 94 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IGF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AENA:MAAena Sme Sa | 4.91% | 0.05% | 4.86% |
| TCL:AUTransurban Group | 4.89% | 0.07% | 4.82% |
| IBE:MALberdrola Sa | 4.13% | 0.35% | 3.78% |
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | 3.62% | 0.24% | 3.38% |
| AIA:NZAuckland International Airport Ltd. Auckland Intl Airport Ltd Registered Shares O N | 3.68% | 0.02% | 3.66% |
| PAC:MXGrupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Sab De Cv Adr | 3.68% | 0.00% | 3.68% |
| GET:PAGetlink Se | 2.84% | 0.01% | 2.83% |
| NG:LNNational Grid Plc | 2.22% | 0.17% | 2.05% |
| ENEL:MIEnelspa | 2.17% | 0.18% | 1.99% |
| TRP:CATc Energy Corp. | 2.15% | 0.14% | 2.01% |
54.5% of IGF 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, IGF or VXUS?
IGF 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, IGF or VXUS?
Over the past year IGF returned +5.02% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IGF annualized +4.60% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGF or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.2% for IGF. Worst drawdown: IGF -42.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IGF and VXUS?
IGF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 IGF and VXUS?
At least 54.5% of IGF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in IGF and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGF or VXUS?
IGF yields 3.14% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so IGF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IGF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IGF 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.