ISCF vs VXUS
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ISCF or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ISCF led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | ISCF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $679M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.61% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 1,194 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +7.38% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.71% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.98%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.62% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,437 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.5 years).
ISCF 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 11.5 years both funds cover.
ISCF vs VXUS Performance
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF) 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 ISCF returned +12.71% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, ISCF is up 7.38% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, ISCF compounded at +19.98% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.62% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, ISCF has the edge at +6.99% annualized vs +5.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 14.9% 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 -43.6% for ISCF 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCF charges 0.24% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $5 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCF currently yields 3.61% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 69.1% of ISCF'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.
716 positions in common, counted across the 1,180 positions we hold weights for in ISCF and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 1,194 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTT:CAFinning International Inc | 0.58% | 0.02% | 0.56% |
| 7189:JPNishi-Nippon Financial Holdings Inc | 0.52% | 0.01% | 0.51% |
| VACN:FFVat Group Ag | 0.49% | 0.04% | 0.45% |
| LOGN:SMLogitech Intl S A | 0.49% | 0.03% | 0.46% |
| ISS:COIss A/s | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| CG:CACenterra Gold Inc Common Stock | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| BESI:ASBe Semiconductor Industr /EUR/ | 0.44% | 0.04% | 0.40% |
| DPM:CADundee Precious Metals Inc | 0.45% | 0.02% | 0.43% |
| ASRNL:ASAsr Nederland Nv | 0.43% | 0.03% | 0.40% |
| 1961:JPSanki Engineering Co Ltd | 0.45% | 0.00% | 0.45% |
69.1% of ISCF 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, ISCF or VXUS?
ISCF has an expense ratio of 0.24% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISCF or VXUS?
Over the past year ISCF returned +12.71% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ISCF annualized +6.99% vs +5.57% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCF or VXUS?
ISCF has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ISCF -43.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ISCF and VXUS?
ISCF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ISCF and VXUS?
At least 69.1% of ISCF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 716 positions in common, counted across the 1,180 positions we hold weights for in ISCF and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCF or VXUS?
ISCF yields 3.61% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so ISCF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ISCF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ISCF led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.