ISCB vs VXUS
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ISCB or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
ISCB has a lower expense ratio. ISCB 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 | ISCB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $271M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 1,571 | 8,844 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 15.7 years | $35,120Best | $20,536 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | 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 12 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ISCB has data through Oct 2, 2026 and VXUS through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 15.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 2, 2026 (15.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% 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 -44.2% for ISCB 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCB charges 0.04% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCB currently yields 1.27% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,345 holdings in ISCB and 8,425 in VXUS, totalling 92.2% and 91.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 12 positions appear in both.
12 positions in common, counted across the 1,345 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 1,571 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCB | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.17% | 0.00% | 0.17% |
| GMEGamestop Corp | 0.14% | 0.02% | 0.12% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.11% | 0.01% | 0.10% |
| 196170:KRAlteogen Inc | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.06% | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| BILLBill.Com Holdings, Inc. Common Stock | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| CASHMeta Financial Group Inc | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCB 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, ISCB or VXUS?
ISCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VXUS charges 0.05%. ISCB is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ISCB or VXUS?
ISCB has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ISCB -44.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ISCB and VXUS?
ISCB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, ISCB or VXUS?
ISCB yields 1.27% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ISCB?
ISCB has a lower expense ratio. ISCB 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.