ILS vs VXUS
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ILS or VXUS?
Intermediate Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
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 | ILS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.58% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $108M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.00% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 129 | 8,844 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.8%Best | 12.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.6%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $11,260 | $14,532Best |
| Fund Family | ILS ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Intermediate Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 14, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 27 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ILS has data through Sep 17, 2026 and VXUS through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.6% compared with 2.8% for ILS. 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 -1.6% for ILS 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 0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILS charges 1.58% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $158 vs $5 annually, a gap of $153 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILS currently yields 8.00% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in ILS and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 8.0% 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 9 positions we hold weights for in ILS and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 129 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ILS 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, ILS or VXUS?
ILS has an expense ratio of 1.58% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $153 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ILS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.6% annualized versus 2.8% for ILS. Worst drawdown: ILS -1.6% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both ILS and VXUS?
ILS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.03, 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, ILS or VXUS?
ILS yields 8.00% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so ILS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ILS?
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.