The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and the Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund ETF Shares (VXF) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. IXUS is a iShares Foreign Large Blend fund and VXF is a Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth fund. So, what’s the difference between IXUS and VXF? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of IXUS is 0.03 percentage points higher than VXF’s (0.09% vs. 0.06%). IXUS also has a higher exposure to the financial services sector and a lower standard deviation. Overall, IXUS has provided lower returns than VXF over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare IXUS vs. VXF. We’ll look at portfolio growth and risk metrics, as well as at their industry exposure and fund composition. Moreover, I’ll also discuss IXUS’s and VXF’s holdings, performance, and annual returns and examine how these affect their overall returns.
Summary
| IXUS | VXF | |
| Name | iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund ETF Shares |
| Category | Foreign Large Blend | Mid-Cap Growth |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| AUM | 29.54B | 114.53B |
| Avg. Return | 6.09% | 15.47% |
| Div. Yield | 2.13% | 1.19% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.06% |
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 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund ETF Shares (VXF) is a Mid-Cap Growth fund that is issued by Vanguard. It currently has 114.53B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 15.47% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.19% with an expense ratio of 0.06%.
IXUS’s dividend yield is 0.94% higher than that of VXF (2.13% vs. 1.19%). Also, IXUS yielded on average 9.39% less per year over the past decade (6.09% vs. 15.47%). The expense ratio of IXUS is 0.03 percentage points higher than VXF’s (0.09% vs. 0.06%).
Fund Composition
Industry Exposure
| IXUS | VXF | |
| Technology | 13.24% | 23.61% |
| Industrials | 12.78% | 11.31% |
| Energy | 4.39% | 2.46% |
| Communication Services | 7.09% | 7.29% |
| Utilities | 2.95% | 1.65% |
| Healthcare | 9.29% | 15.25% |
| Consumer Defensive | 8.19% | 3.09% |
| Real Estate | 3.66% | 8.16% |
| Financial Services | 17.34% | 12.56% |
| Consumer Cyclical | 12.57% | 11.35% |
| Basic Materials | 8.5% | 3.26% |
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 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund ETF Shares (VXF) has the most exposure to the Technology sector at 23.61%. This is followed by Healthcare and Financial Services at 15.25% and 12.56% respectively. Energy (2.46%), Consumer Defensive (3.09%), and Basic Materials (3.26%) only make up 8.81% of the fund’s total assets.
VXF’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Communication Services, Real Estate, Industrials, Consumer Cyclical, and Financial Services stocks at 7.29%, 8.16%, 11.31%, 11.35%, and 12.56%.
IXUS is 4.78% more exposed to the Financial Services sector than VXF (17.34% vs 12.56%). IXUS’s exposure to Technology and Industrials stocks is 10.37% lower and 1.47% higher respectively (13.24% vs. 23.61% and 12.78% vs. 11.31%). In total, Real Estate, Energy, and Communication Services also make up 2.77% less of the fund’s holdings compared to VXF (15.14% vs. 17.91%).
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%.
| VXF Holdings | Weight |
| Square Inc A | 1.2% |
| Zoom Video Communications Inc | 1.04% |
| Uber Technologies Inc | 0.93% |
| Moderna Inc | 0.9% |
| Blackstone Group Inc | 0.83% |
| Snap Inc Class A | 0.8% |
| Twilio Inc A | 0.73% |
| DocuSign Inc | 0.68% |
| CrowdStrike Holdings Inc Class A | 0.63% |
| Marvell Technology Inc | 0.6% |
VXF’s Top Holdings are Square Inc A, Zoom Video Communications Inc, Uber Technologies Inc, Moderna Inc, and Blackstone Group Inc at 1.2%, 1.04%, 0.93%, 0.9%, and 0.83%.
Snap Inc Class A (0.8%), Twilio Inc A (0.73%), and DocuSign Inc (0.68%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. CrowdStrike Holdings Inc Class A and Marvell Technology Inc are also represented in the VXF’s holdings at 0.63% and 0.6%.
Risk Analysis
| IXUS | VXF | |
| Mean Return | 0 | 1.24 |
| R-squared | 0 | 85.73 |
| Std. Deviation | 0 | 18.04 |
| Alpha | 0 | -3.26 |
| Beta | 0 | 1.23 |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0 | 0.79 |
| Treynor Ratio | 0 | 10.92 |
The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a R-squared of 0 with a Alpha of 0 and a Mean Return of 0. Its Treynor Ratio is 0 while IXUS’s Sharpe Ratio is 0. Furthermore, the fund has a Beta of 0 and a Standard Deviation of 0.
The Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund ETF Shares (VXF) has a R-squared of 85.73 with a Standard Deviation of 18.04 and a Mean Return of 1.24. Its Beta is 1.23 while VXF’s Treynor Ratio is 10.92. Furthermore, the fund has a Alpha of -3.26 and a Sharpe Ratio of 0.79.
IXUS’s Mean Return is 1.24 points lower than that of VXF and its R-squared is 85.73 points lower. With a Standard Deviation of 0, IXUS is slightly less volatile than VXF. The Alpha and Beta of IXUS are 3.26 points higher and 1.23 points lower than VXF’s Alpha and Beta.
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | IXUS | VXF |
| 2020 | 11.14% | 32.19% |
| 2019 | 21.85% | 28.04% |
| 2018 | -14.55% | -9.37% |
| 2017 | 28.08% | 18.1% |
| 2016 | 4.66% | 16.16% |
| 2015 | -4.62% | -3.26% |
| 2014 | -3.96% | 7.55% |
| 2013 | 15.85% | 38.37% |
| 2012 | 0.0% | 18.48% |
| 2011 | 0.0% | -3.61% |
| 2010 | 0.0% | 27.55% |
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 2013 was the strongest year for VXF, returning 38.37% on an annual basis. The poorest year for VXF in the last ten years was 2018, with a yield of -9.37%. Most years the Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund ETF Shares has given investors modest returns, such as in 2016, 2017, and 2012, when gains were 16.16%, 18.1%, and 18.48% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| IXUS | $10,000 | $14,209 | 6.09% |
| VXF | $10,000 | $21,894 | 15.47% |
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 VXF, the end total would have been $21,894. This equates to a $11,894 profit over 7 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.47%.
IXUS’s CAGR is 9.39 percentage points lower than that of VXF and as a result, would have yielded $7,685 less on a $10,000 investment. Thus, IXUS performed worse than VXF by 9.39% annually.
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