The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and the iShares Gold Trust (IAU) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. IXUS is a iShares Foreign Large Blend fund and IAU is a iShares N/A fund. So, what’s the difference between IXUS and IAU? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of IXUS is 0.16 percentage points lower than IAU’s (0.09% vs. 0.25%). IXUS also has a higher exposure to the financial services sector and a lower standard deviation. Overall, IXUS has provided higher returns than IAU over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare IXUS vs. IAU. We’ll look at portfolio growth and fund composition, as well as at their risk metrics and holdings. Moreover, I’ll also discuss IXUS’s and IAU’s performance, industry exposure, and annual returns and examine how these affect their overall returns.
FYI: Another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector is by investing in real estate debt. Groundfloor offers fantastic short-term, high-yield bonds that can add diversification to your portfolio!
Summary
| IXUS | IAU | |
| Name | iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | iShares Gold Trust |
| Category | Foreign Large Blend | N/A |
| Issuer | iShares | iShares |
| AUM | 29.54B | 28.61B |
| Avg. Return | 6.09% | 6.03% |
| Div. Yield | 2.13% | 0.0% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.25% |
The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is a Foreign Large Blend fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 29.54B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 6.09% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 2.13% with an expense ratio of 0.09%.
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is a N/A fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 28.61B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 6.03% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 0.0% with an expense ratio of 0.25%.
IXUS’s dividend yield is 2.13% higher than that of IAU (2.13% vs. 0.0%). Also, IXUS yielded on average 0.05% more per year over the past decade (6.09% vs. 6.03%). The expense ratio of IXUS is 0.16 percentage points lower than IAU’s (0.09% vs. 0.25%).
FYI: The best way I've found to invest is through M1 Finance. It's free and you even get an instant line of credit and 100$! Have a look here (link to M1 Finance).
Fund Composition
Industry Exposure
| IXUS | IAU | |
| Technology | 13.24% | 0.0% |
| Industrials | 12.78% | 0.0% |
| Energy | 4.39% | 0.0% |
| Communication Services | 7.09% | 0.0% |
| Utilities | 2.95% | 0.0% |
| Healthcare | 9.29% | 0.0% |
| Consumer Defensive | 8.19% | 0.0% |
| Real Estate | 3.66% | 0.0% |
| Financial Services | 17.34% | 0.0% |
| Consumer Cyclical | 12.57% | 0.0% |
| Basic Materials | 8.5% | 0.0% |
The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has the most exposure to the Financial Services sector at 17.34%. This is followed by Technology and Industrials at 13.24% and 12.78% respectively. Real Estate (3.66%), Energy (4.39%), and Communication Services (7.09%) only make up 15.14% of the fund’s total assets.
IXUS’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Consumer Defensive, Basic Materials, Healthcare, Consumer Cyclical, and Industrials stocks at 8.19%, 8.5%, 9.29%, 12.57%, and 12.78%.
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has the most exposure to the Technology sector at 0.0%. This is followed by Industrials and Energy at 0.0% and 0.0% respectively. Consumer Cyclical (0.0%), Financial Services (0.0%), and Real Estate (0.0%) only make up 0.00% of the fund’s total assets.
IAU’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Consumer Defensive, Healthcare, Utilities, Communication Services, and Energy stocks at 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0%.
IXUS is 17.34% more exposed to the Financial Services sector than IAU (17.34% vs 0.0%). IXUS’s exposure to Technology and Industrials stocks is 13.24% higher and 12.78% higher respectively (13.24% vs. 0.0% and 12.78% vs. 0.0%). In total, Real Estate, Energy, and Communication Services also make up 15.14% more of the fund’s holdings compared to IAU (15.14% vs. 0.00%).
Holdings
| IXUS Holdings | Weight |
| Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 1.64% |
| Tencent Holdings Ltd | 1.35% |
| Alibaba Group Holding Ltd Ordinary Shares | 1.34% |
| Nestle SA | 1.1% |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 1.06% |
| ASML Holding NV | 0.9% |
| Roche Holding AG | 0.81% |
| LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | 0.67% |
| Novartis AG | 0.62% |
| Toyota Motor Corp | 0.59% |
IXUS’s Top Holdings are Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd, Tencent Holdings Ltd, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd Ordinary Shares, Nestle SA, and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd at 1.64%, 1.35%, 1.34%, 1.1%, and 1.06%.
ASML Holding NV (0.9%), Roche Holding AG (0.81%), and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (0.67%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. Novartis AG and Toyota Motor Corp are also represented in the IXUS’s holdings at 0.62% and 0.59%.
| IAU Holdings | Weight |
| Gold | 100.0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
| N/A | 0% |
IAU’s Top Holdings are Gold, N/A, N/A, N/A, and N/A at 100.0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, and 0%.
N/A (0%), N/A (0%), and N/A (0%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. N/A and N/A are also represented in the IAU’s holdings at 0% and 0%.
Risk Analysis
| IXUS | IAU | |
| Mean Return | 0 | 0.23 |
| R-squared | 0 | 16.03 |
| Std. Deviation | 0 | 16.97 |
| Alpha | 0 | 4.16 |
| Beta | 0 | 0.48 |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0 | 0.13 |
| Treynor Ratio | 0 | 1.5 |
The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a Mean Return of 0 with a Alpha of 0 and a Treynor Ratio of 0. Its Beta is 0 while IXUS’s R-squared is 0. Furthermore, the fund has a Sharpe Ratio of 0 and a Standard Deviation of 0.
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a Sharpe Ratio of 0.13 with a Treynor Ratio of 1.5 and a Mean Return of 0.23. Its Alpha is 4.16 while IAU’s Standard Deviation is 16.97. Furthermore, the fund has a Beta of 0.48 and a R-squared of 16.03.
IXUS’s Mean Return is 0.23 points lower than that of IAU and its R-squared is 16.03 points lower. With a Standard Deviation of 0, IXUS is slightly less volatile than IAU. The Alpha and Beta of IXUS are 4.16 points lower and 0.48 points lower than IAU’s Alpha and Beta.
NOTE: The easiest way to add diversification to your portfolio is to invest in real estate through Fundrise. You can become private real estate investor without the burden of property management! Check it out here (link to Fundrise).
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | IXUS | IAU |
| 2020 | 11.14% | 23.86% |
| 2019 | 21.85% | 18.54% |
| 2018 | -14.55% | -1.39% |
| 2017 | 28.08% | 11.58% |
| 2016 | 4.66% | 8.85% |
| 2015 | -4.62% | -11.65% |
| 2014 | -3.96% | -0.44% |
| 2013 | 15.85% | -27.96% |
| 2012 | 0.0% | 8.37% |
| 2011 | 0.0% | 8.66% |
| 2010 | 0.0% | 27.93% |
IXUS had its best year in 2017 with an annual return of 28.08%. IXUS’s worst year over the past decade yielded -14.55% and occurred in 2018. In most years the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF provided moderate returns such as in 2011, 2010, and 2016 where annual returns amounted to 0.0%, 0.0%, and 4.66% respectively.
The year 2010 was the strongest year for IAU, returning 27.93% on an annual basis. The poorest year for IAU in the last ten years was 2013, with a yield of -27.96%. Most years the iShares Gold Trust has given investors modest returns, such as in 2012, 2011, and 2016, when gains were 8.37%, 8.66%, and 8.85% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| IXUS | $10,000 | $14,209 | 6.09% |
| IAU | $10,000 | $15,467 | 6.03% |
A $10,000 investment in IXUS would have resulted in a final balance of $14,209. This is a profit of $4,209 over 7 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.09%.
With a $10,000 investment in IAU, the end total would have been $15,467. This equates to a $5,467 profit over 7 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%.
IXUS’s CAGR is 0.05 percentage points higher than that of IAU and as a result, would have yielded $1,258 less on a $10,000 investment. Thus, IXUS outperformed IAU by 0.05% annually.
Current recommendations:
Over the past years, I have discovered several tools and products that have helped me tremendously on my path to financial freedom:
P.S.: The links below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you sign up for one of the services. Thank you for your support!
1)Personal Capital is simply the best tool out there to track your net worth and plan for financial freedom. Just their retirement planner alone has become an invaluable tool to keep myself on track financially. Try it out, it's free!
2) Take a look at M1 Finance, my favorite broker. I love how easy it is to invest and maintain my portfolio with them. I can set up automatic transfers, rebalance my portfolio with one click and even borrow up to 35% of my assets at super low interest rates!
3) Fundrise is by far the best way I've found to invest in Real Estate. You can diversify your portfolio by investing in their eREITs or even allocate capital to individual properties (without the hassle of managing tenants!).
4) Groundfloor is another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector by investing in short-term, high-yield real estate debt. Current returns are >10% and you can get started with just $10.
5) If you are interested in startup investing, check out Mainvest. I've started allocating a small amount of assets to invest in and support small businesses. Return targets are between 10-25% and you can start with just $100!
To see all of my most up-to-date recommendations, check out the Recommended Tools section.
I believe that money is just a means to an end: to be free to spend your time as you wish, to maximize your positive impact on the world.
