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Relative Intelligence · International Equity

How iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on IXUS alone. It places IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where IXUS stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: IXUS's full trading record, from October 2012 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against IXUS →Chart IXUS vs. 24 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in IXUS have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in IXUS over the past 13 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of IXUS over the same span and IXUS's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: IXUS began trading on October 24, 2012, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. It covers the most recent 13 years of IXUS's record, starting at the end of September 2013.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2013 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,384 of the 2,311 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IXUS; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,0002013201520172019202120232025$0$20,000$40,000$60,00020132016201920222025
  • SPY (S&P 500)$56,474+465% total · +14.2% a year
  • VTI$53,009+430% total · +13.7% a year
  • VT$37,592+276% total · +10.7% a year
  • SCHF$26,063+161% total · +7.6% a year
  • SPDW$25,974+160% total · +7.6% a year
  • CWI$25,256+153% total · +7.4% a year
  • IXUS$24,623+146% total · +7.2% a year
  • EFV$24,336+143% total · +7.1% a year
  • IEMG$23,329+133% total · +6.7% a year
  • EEM$21,706+117% total · +6.1% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,448 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IXUS; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026
  • LVHI$21,792+118% total · +16.9% a year
  • EFV$19,482+94.8% total · +14.3% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • VTI$18,064+80.6% total · +12.6% a year
  • VT$17,117+71.2% total · +11.3% a year
  • AVDE$16,780+67.8% total · +10.9% a year
  • DFAX$16,585+65.9% total · +10.6% a year
  • SCHF$16,548+65.5% total · +10.6% a year
  • SPDW$16,223+62.2% total · +10.2% a year
  • IXUS$15,603+56.0% total · +9.3% a year
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IXUS at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the fund, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

Note: IXUS began trading on October 24, 2012, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

The fund

Issuer
IShares
Began trading
October 2012
Expense ratio
0.07%per year
Assets
$58B
Category
International

Returns

Past 1 year
+14.8%total return
Past 3 years
+78.3%+21.3% a year
Past 5 years
+48.4%+8.2% a year
Past 10 years
+140%+9.2% a year
Best calendar year
+32.4%2025
Worst calendar year
−16.5%2022
Losing years
4 of 13full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
16.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.56return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−36.2%Jan 2018 to Mar 2020
From its all-time high
−5.0%below the peak

IXUS against the whole market

Where IXUS ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does IXUS rank among all ETFs?

This section ranks IXUS on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every ETF worth at least $100 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how IXUS stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed ETFs with at least $100M in assets that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller ETFs and leveraged funds are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureIXUSRankStanding
1-year return+14.8%852 of 2,485top 34%
3-year return+78.3%604 of 1,949top 31%
5-year return+48.4%707 of 1,560top 45%
10-year return+140%512 of 958bottom 48%
Volatility, 5 years16.6%766 of 1,560top 49%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.56797 of 1,560bottom 50%
Worst decline, past 10 years−36.2%405 of 951top 43%

What has beaten IXUS on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). IXUS sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than IXUS with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to IXUS; faint dots are 48 more of the 109 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%5.0%7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IXUSSIXA: +12.8% a year, volatility 12.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%QDF: +11.5% a year, volatility 15.6%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%DHS: +12.0% a year, volatility 13.9%RODM: +10.6% a year, volatility 13.5%FGD: +11.6% a year, volatility 14.8%FDLO: +9.8% a year, volatility 13.0%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%FDRR: +12.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%DBEU: +11.2% a year, volatility 14.4%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%DJD: +11.8% a year, volatility 13.3%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%SCHY: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.3%TDVG: +9.6% a year, volatility 13.8%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%SSUS: +10.5% a year, volatility 15.4%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%IDV: +12.8% a year, volatility 15.5%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%DEM: +9.6% a year, volatility 15.5%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%AUSF: +13.2% a year, volatility 13.6%CMDY: +9.5% a year, volatility 15.7%IXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%SCHF: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%BBCA: +11.4% a year, volatility 16.7%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%AOA: +8.6% a year, volatility 13.1%OUSA: +9.4% a year, volatility 13.4%IXUSSPY (S&P 500)SCHFVTIEFVVTVXUSLVHIDBEFAVDVBBCADXJFTLSPTLCPTNQDIVIAOAOUSA7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IXUSSIXA: +12.8% a year, volatility 12.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%QDF: +11.5% a year, volatility 15.6%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%DHS: +12.0% a year, volatility 13.9%RODM: +10.6% a year, volatility 13.5%FGD: +11.6% a year, volatility 14.8%FDLO: +9.8% a year, volatility 13.0%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%FDRR: +12.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%DBEU: +11.2% a year, volatility 14.4%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%DJD: +11.8% a year, volatility 13.3%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%SCHY: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.3%TDVG: +9.6% a year, volatility 13.8%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%SSUS: +10.5% a year, volatility 15.4%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%IDV: +12.8% a year, volatility 15.5%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%DEM: +9.6% a year, volatility 15.5%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%AUSF: +13.2% a year, volatility 13.6%CMDY: +9.5% a year, volatility 15.7%IXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%SCHF: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%BBCA: +11.4% a year, volatility 16.7%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%AOA: +8.6% a year, volatility 13.1%OUSA: +9.4% a year, volatility 13.4%IXUSSPY (S&P 500)SCHFVTIVTVXUSLVHIAVDVDXJFTLSPTLCAOA
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than IXUS?

Investments that beat IXUS over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat IXUS over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes, and, for funds, the same exposure at a lower expense ratio. It checks IXUS's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than IXUS follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than IXUS's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× IXUS's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than IXUS's.

Screen the whole market against IXUS for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 20 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with IXUS?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
IXUSiShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF · this page
+8.2%16.6%0.56−36.2%+140%1.000.07%
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.800.09%
Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against IXUS. 10 of 24 passed at least one test.
SCHFSchwab International Equity ETF · Developed International Equity
Higher return in most periodsSame exposure, lower expense ratio+9.5%16.8%0.63−34.9%+155%0.990.03%
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.810.03%
EFViShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF · International Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.6%15.9%0.88−43.2%+157%0.910.31%
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Higher return in most periods+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.920.06%
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Same exposure, lower expense ratio+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%1.000.05%
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in International Equity and the categories next to it (Developed International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity), plus IXUS's specific themes. 20 of 46 passed at least one test.
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.760.40%
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.880.35%
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+194%0.960.25%
AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.9%17.4%0.84−43.0%—0.930.36%
BBCAJPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF · International Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.4%16.7%0.73−42.8%—0.870.19%
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.550.48%
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 394 of 3,563 passed at least one test.
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.720.95%
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+9.5%11.8%0.83−26.6%+188%0.540.60%
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.550.65%
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.48—
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.31—
DIVIFranklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF · International
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.4%15.5%0.89−27.7%+184%0.950.09%
AOAiShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+8.6%13.1%0.69−28.4%+165%0.930.19%
OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+9.4%13.4%0.74−33.1%+186%0.800.48%
What these numbers mean for IXUS
Annual return
IXUS returned 8.2% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $14,800. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
IXUS's volatility over the past 5 years was 16.6%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IXUS's return lands within 16.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
IXUS's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.56, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IXUS earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
IXUS's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 36.2%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 36.2% fall takes a 56.8% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, IXUS's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.80 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IXUS instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IXUS holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 109 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than IXUS with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 55 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with IXUSExpense
1
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.720.95%
2
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.5%11.8%0.83−26.6%+188%0.540.60%
3
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Whole market+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.550.65%
4
DIVIFranklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF · International
Whole market+13.4%15.5%0.89−27.7%+184%0.950.09%
5
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.8%12.7%1.01−18.4%—0.810.31%
6
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.810.03%
7
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Same or nearby category+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.760.40%
8
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.820.04%
9
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.720.06%
10
OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.4%13.4%0.74−33.1%+186%0.800.48%
11
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.1%15.1%1.07−41.3%—0.790.56%
12
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.0%1.00−37.0%+172%0.660.08%
13
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.810.39%
14
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.770.79%
15
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.790.85%
16
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.9%14.4%0.98−41.4%+199%0.660.43%
17
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.800.12%
18
VYMIVanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF · International Equity
Same or nearby category+13.2%14.8%0.92−40.0%+176%0.930.07%
19
GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%13.6%1.04−37.6%+168%0.780.60%
20
IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.7%13.8%0.94−35.8%+221%0.820.20%
21
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Same or nearby category+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.880.35%
22
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.860.30%
23
BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF · Buffered Equity
Whole market+9.9%10.5%0.96−13.7%—0.810.10%
24
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+13.9%15.4%0.93−36.9%—0.810.05%
25
HFXINYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF · International
Whole market+11.4%15.3%0.79−32.4%+180%0.960.19%
26
QDFNorthern Trust Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.5%15.6%0.78−36.7%+215%0.830.40%
27
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+11.1%11.9%0.95−30.0%—0.740.56%
28
DHSWisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.0%13.9%0.89−37.4%+156%0.670.38%
29
RODMHartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF · International
Whole market+10.6%13.5%0.82−36.0%+141%0.940.29%
30
FGDFirst Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund · International
Whole market+11.6%14.8%0.82−44.8%+155%0.880.55%
31
FDLOFidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.8%13.0%0.79−34.4%+249%0.760.15%
32
DBMFiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+9.8%12.4%0.82−20.4%—-0.300.85%
33
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.840.19%
34
ROUSHartford Multifactor US Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.3%14.4%0.88−35.5%+238%0.830.19%
35
FDRRFidelity Dividend ETF for Rising Rates · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.6%15.0%0.87−36.5%+265%0.820.15%
36
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.940.50%
37
DBEUXtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+11.2%14.4%0.82−34.5%+178%0.840.46%
38
IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%15.6%0.93−37.3%+180%0.860.50%
39
DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.8%13.3%0.91−34.7%+227%0.760.07%
40
ACIOAptus Collared Income Opportunity ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.3%11.1%0.86−14.2%—0.760.79%
41
SCHYSchwab International Dividend Equity ETF · International
Whole market+9.5%13.3%0.75−24.0%—0.880.08%
42
TDVGT. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.6%13.8%0.73−19.2%—0.830.50%
43
FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.5%14.8%0.82−19.4%+121%0.700.75%
44
FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+12.9%15.6%0.86−35.9%+139%0.180.98%
45
SSUSStrategy Shares Day Hagan Smart Sector ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%15.4%0.73−23.8%—0.800.77%
46
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.6%0.92−40.2%+253%0.830.15%
47
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+14.9%14.5%1.04−43.6%+150%0.590.95%
48
IDViShares International Select Dividend ETF · International Equity
Same or nearby category+12.8%15.5%0.86−42.5%+159%0.870.50%
49
DDWMWisdomTree Dynamic International Equity Fund · International
Whole market+12.3%13.4%0.94−35.0%+149%0.930.40%
50
DEMWisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund · International Equity
Same or nearby category+9.6%15.5%0.67−37.8%+133%0.870.63%
51
RLYState Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+9.9%13.3%0.78−34.2%+128%0.710.50%
52
RAAXVanEck Real Assets ETF · Commodities
Whole market+11.7%15.6%0.79−33.9%—0.720.55%
53
DBAInvesco DB Agriculture Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+10.7%13.8%0.81−35.3%+62.2%0.190.90%
54
AUSFGlobal X - Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF · International
Whole market+13.2%13.6%0.99−44.2%—0.670.27%
55
CMDYiShares Bloomberg Roll Select Commodity Strategy ETF · Commodities
Whole market+9.5%15.7%0.66−31.2%—0.280.29%

IXUS against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against IXUS, compared period by period and year by year.

How do IXUS's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at IXUS, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than IXUS with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%−5.0%−2.5%0.0%2.5%5.0%7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIXUS: 8.2% a year, volatility 16.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EFV: 13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%VT: 10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%AVDE: 10.1% a year, volatility 16.4%DFAX: 9.8% a year, volatility 16.1%IEMG: 6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%EEM: 6.3% a year, volatility 20.0%IDEV: 8.7% a year, volatility 16.4%VEU: 8.6% a year, volatility 16.4%EFG: 3.5% a year, volatility 18.5%VXUS: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.4%SPEM: 5.9% a year, volatility 17.3%VWO: 5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%VTI: 11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%SCHF: 9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SPDW: 9.1% a year, volatility 16.8%AVEM: 9.3% a year, volatility 19.5%CWI: 8.9% a year, volatility 16.6%EFA: 8.6% a year, volatility 16.6%IEFA: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VNQI: −2.1% a year, volatility 15.5%BNDX: 0.2% a year, volatility 4.9%IGOV: −4.3% a year, volatility 10.0%ACWX: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.6%IXUSSPY (S&P 500)EFVVTAVDEIEMGEEMIDEVEFGSPEMVWOVTISCHFAVEMVNQIBNDXIGOV0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIXUS: 8.2% a year, volatility 16.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EFV: 13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%VT: 10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%AVDE: 10.1% a year, volatility 16.4%DFAX: 9.8% a year, volatility 16.1%IEMG: 6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%EEM: 6.3% a year, volatility 20.0%IDEV: 8.7% a year, volatility 16.4%VEU: 8.6% a year, volatility 16.4%EFG: 3.5% a year, volatility 18.5%VXUS: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.4%SPEM: 5.9% a year, volatility 17.3%VWO: 5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%VTI: 11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%SCHF: 9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SPDW: 9.1% a year, volatility 16.8%AVEM: 9.3% a year, volatility 19.5%CWI: 8.9% a year, volatility 16.6%EFA: 8.6% a year, volatility 16.6%IEFA: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VNQI: −2.1% a year, volatility 15.5%BNDX: 0.2% a year, volatility 4.9%IGOV: −4.3% a year, volatility 10.0%ACWX: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.6%IXUSSPY (S&P 500)EFVVTAVDEIEMGIDEVEFGSPEMVWOVTISPDWVNQIBNDXIGOV
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF+13.6%15.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF+11.5%17.5%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF+10.3%16.2%
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF+10.1%16.4%
DFAX Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF+9.8%16.1%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF+9.5%16.8%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF+9.3%19.5%
SPDW State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF+9.1%16.8%
CWI State Street SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF+8.9%16.6%
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF+8.7%16.4%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF+8.6%16.6%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF+8.6%16.4%
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF+8.3%16.6%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF+8.3%16.6%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF+8.3%16.4%
IXUS This pageiShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF+8.2%16.6%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF+6.8%19.4%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF+6.3%20.0%
SPEM State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF+5.9%17.3%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF+5.2%17.5%
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF+3.5%18.5%
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF+0.2%4.9%
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF−2.1%15.5%
IGOV iShares International Treasury Bond ETF−4.3%10.0%
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Has IXUS consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares IXUS with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than IXUS helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than IXUS over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (this page)—−3.8%+1.1%+1.2%+10.6%+14.8%+78.3%+48.4%+140%16.6%0.56−36.2%0.07%$58B—
EFV QualifiediShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−2.7%+1.7%+3.9%+12.8%+21.4%+92.4%+89.0%+157%15.9%0.88−43.2%0.31%$31B73%
VTI QualifiedVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−0.8%+3.2%+8.3%+13.1%+15.2%+87.9%+72.6%+302%17.5%0.71−35.0%0.03%$2.3T73%
VT QualifiedVanguard Total World Stock ETF4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−1.9%+2.5%+5.5%+12.0%+15.0%+83.8%+63.3%+223%16.2%0.69−34.2%0.06%$101B81%
SCHF QualifiedSchwab International Equity ETF3/5 short3/3 long−3.8%+0.7%+1.7%+11.7%+17.3%+80.9%+57.7%+155%16.8%0.63−34.9%0.03%$68B92%
SPDW QualifiedState Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF3/5 short3/3 long−3.6%+1.0%+1.9%+11.8%+17.0%+81.6%+54.9%+153%16.8%0.61−35.0%0.03%$41B94%
AVDE QualifiedAvantis International Equity ETF3/5 short2/3 long−2.6%+1.9%+0.9%+10.2%+16.4%+83.7%+61.8%—16.4%0.67−37.0%0.23%$19B86%
DFAX QualifiedDimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF3/5 short2/3 long−3.6%+2.3%+1.1%+12.0%+17.9%+82.8%+59.3%—16.1%0.66−28.1%0.28%$12B92%
VEA InternationalVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF2/5 short3/3 long−3.5%+1.0%+1.4%+11.5%+17.0%+81.0%+55.9%+153%16.9%0.61−35.8%0.03%$314B94%
AVEM InternationalAvantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF2/5 short2/3 long−7.0%+1.0%+1.6%+15.0%+19.7%+91.0%+56.1%—19.5%0.56−36.0%0.33%$27B81%
IEMG InternationaliShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF2/5 short1/3 long−7.6%+0.2%+0.6%+13.0%+17.0%+83.4%+39.0%+122%19.4%0.44−38.7%0.09%$151B76%
EEM InternationaliShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF2/5 short1/3 long−8.0%−0.4%+0.7%+13.2%+17.6%+84.9%+35.7%+110%20.0%0.41−39.8%0.72%$29B79%
CWI InternationalState Street SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF1/5 short1/3 long−3.7%+1.0%+2.1%+10.3%+15.0%+79.9%+53.1%+144%16.6%0.60−34.6%0.30%$2.8B94%
EFA InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE ETF1/5 short1/3 long−2.3%+1.1%+1.4%+8.6%+12.5%+71.2%+51.0%+139%16.6%0.58−34.2%0.32%$77B88%
IDEV InternationaliShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF1/5 short1/3 long−2.0%+1.5%+1.5%+9.2%+13.8%+75.7%+51.5%—16.4%0.59−34.8%0.04%$33B90%
VEU InternationalVanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF0/5 short1/3 long−3.8%+1.0%+1.4%+10.5%+15.1%+78.3%+50.7%+143%16.4%0.58−35.0%0.04%$96B98%
IEFA InternationaliShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF1/5 short0/3 long−2.4%+1.2%+1.3%+8.8%+12.8%+72.4%+49.0%+140%16.6%0.56−34.8%0.07%$190B89%
EFG InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF1/5 short0/3 long−1.8%+0.4%−1.1%+4.5%+4.1%+51.3%+18.5%+111%18.5%0.28−35.8%0.34%$15B77%
VNQI InternationalVanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF1/5 short0/3 long−2.1%−6.1%−10.8%−7.1%−6.9%+31.9%−9.8%+18.8%15.5%-0.06−38.3%0.12%$3.6B4%
BNDX BondsVanguard Total International Bond ETF1/5 short0/3 long0.0%−1.0%−1.2%−0.7%−1.4%+13.4%+0.8%+15.0%4.9%0.06−16.2%0.07%$122B—
IGOV BondsiShares International Treasury Bond ETF1/5 short0/3 long−1.3%−1.5%−4.8%−3.7%−4.6%+10.9%−20.0%−14.4%10.0%-0.40−35.9%0.35%$1.3B—
VXUS InternationalVanguard Total International Stock ETF0/5 short0/3 long−3.9%+1.0%+0.9%+10.2%+14.6%+77.2%+48.6%+140%16.4%0.57−36.0%0.05%$666B95%
ACWX InternationaliShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF0/5 short0/3 long−3.8%+1.0%+1.5%+10.6%+15.0%+78.1%+49.0%+136%16.6%0.56−35.3%0.32%$17B97%
SPEM InternationalState Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF0/5 short0/3 long−4.7%+1.5%+0.6%+7.6%+9.9%+70.4%+33.1%+114%17.3%0.42−36.1%0.07%$17B83%
VWO InternationalVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF0/5 short0/3 long−4.7%+0.7%−0.8%+6.4%+8.3%+67.2%+29.1%+102%17.5%0.38−36.4%0.06%$165B77%
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How did IXUS do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2013, along with where IXUS ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with IXUS and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: IXUS began trading on October 24, 2012, so the table starts with 2013, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of IXUS; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places IXUS among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of IXUS2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013
IXUS This pageiShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF—+32.4%+5.2%+15.8%−16.5%+8.9%+10.8%+21.7%−14.4%+28.1%+4.7%−4.7%−5.0%+13.7%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 0 of 1312 of 2411 of 2414 of 2414 of 2412 of 2311 of 2311 of 2117 of 216 of 2011 of 2011 of 2013 of 2013 of 19
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF10 of 13+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF5 of 13+42.2%+5.3%+18.9%−5.2%+11.1%−3.0%+15.8%−14.7%+21.2%+5.1%−5.9%−6.8%+21.9%
VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF10 of 13+17.1%+23.8%+26.0%−19.5%+25.7%+21.1%+30.7%−5.2%+21.2%+12.8%+0.4%+12.5%+33.4%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF10 of 13+22.4%+16.5%+22.0%−18.0%+18.3%+16.6%+26.8%−9.8%+24.5%+8.5%−1.9%+3.7%+22.9%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF6 of 13+34.6%+3.3%+18.3%−14.8%+11.4%+9.5%+22.2%−14.2%+26.1%+3.0%−2.6%−5.6%+18.9%
SPDW State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF7 of 13+34.7%+3.6%+17.8%−16.0%+11.4%+9.9%+22.5%−14.2%+25.9%+3.0%−1.8%−5.3%+18.9%
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF4 of 6+38.0%+4.9%+17.2%−13.7%+13.6%+8.3%———————
DFAX Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF3 of 4+35.4%+4.8%+16.6%−14.5%—————————
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF3 of 6+34.5%+7.5%+15.3%−18.1%+5.1%+14.4%———————
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF5 of 13+32.5%+6.5%+11.5%−20.0%−0.6%+17.8%+17.8%−14.9%+37.4%+10.3%−14.3%−3.4%−2.8%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF6 of 13+34.0%+6.5%+9.0%−20.5%−3.6%+17.1%+18.3%−15.3%+37.3%+10.8%−16.2%−3.9%−3.7%
CWI State Street SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF4 of 13+32.8%+6.2%+15.8%−15.4%+8.8%+9.8%+21.9%−13.8%+26.9%+4.8%−5.7%−3.3%+14.0%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF6 of 13+31.6%+3.5%+18.4%−14.4%+11.5%+7.6%+22.0%−13.8%+25.1%+1.4%−1.0%−6.2%+21.4%
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF4 of 8+32.6%+4.5%+17.3%−15.0%+13.0%+8.3%+23.2%−14.1%—————
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF1 of 13+32.4%+5.6%+15.9%−15.6%+8.3%+11.1%+21.8%−14.2%+27.4%+4.9%−4.8%−4.5%+14.1%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF6 of 13+32.1%+3.3%+17.9%−15.3%+11.6%+8.2%+22.6%−14.1%+26.6%+1.6%+0.7%−6.3%+22.5%
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF7 of 13+20.7%+1.5%+17.5%−23.1%+11.0%+17.8%+27.5%−12.9%+28.8%−3.1%+3.7%−5.9%+21.6%
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF3 of 13+21.4%−2.2%+7.0%−22.9%+5.9%−7.2%+21.6%−9.5%+26.9%+2.0%−1.8%+2.2%+2.3%
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF4 of 12+2.9%+3.6%+8.8%−12.8%−2.3%+4.6%+7.8%+2.8%+2.4%+4.6%+1.2%+8.8%—
IGOV iShares International Treasury Bond ETF2 of 13+10.0%−6.5%+5.5%−22.1%−9.3%+10.9%+3.8%−2.6%+11.3%+0.9%−7.2%−2.3%−1.3%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF1 of 13+32.3%+5.1%+15.9%−16.1%+9.0%+10.7%+21.7%−14.4%+27.5%+4.8%−4.2%−4.7%+14.6%
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF1 of 13+32.6%+5.2%+15.7%−16.1%+7.7%+10.3%+21.1%−13.9%+27.2%+4.5%−5.8%−5.0%+14.8%
SPEM State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF6 of 13+25.6%+11.4%+10.5%−17.9%+1.5%+14.5%+19.7%−13.3%+34.8%+11.8%−15.3%−0.7%−1.8%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF5 of 13+25.6%+10.6%+9.3%−18.0%+1.3%+15.2%+20.8%−14.8%+31.5%+12.2%−15.8%0.0%−4.9%
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Risk and diversification

How IXUS has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were IXUS's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents IXUS's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2012, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Note: IXUS began trading on October 24, 2012, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

Green means IXUS fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringIXUS fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Late-2018 sell-off−36.2%−18.8%Jan 2018Mar 20202.2 yearsNov 20208 months
2022 bear market−30.0%−14.3%Jun 2021Oct 202216 monthsMay 202419 months
2015 China and oil sell-off−25.1%−4.9%Jul 2014Feb 201619 monthsMay 201715 months
No named crash−13.8%−12.2%Mar 2025Apr 20251 monthMay 20251 month
No named crash−11.4%−8.6%Feb 2026Mar 20261 monthMay 20262 months

How did IXUS do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far IXUS, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: IXUS began trading on October 24, 2012, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than IXUS.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
IXUS This pageiShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF—−2.5%−28.9%−33.7%−15.4%−6.0%−19.9%Not yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF2 of 6−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF1 of 6−3.6%−25.8%−36.3%−15.9%−5.7%−25.0%−23.3%−0.5%−63.9%—
VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF2 of 6−4.0%−25.2%−35.0%−20.0%−6.3%−14.1%−19.5%−1.9%−55.5%—
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF2 of 6−3.3%−26.2%−34.1%−17.8%−6.2%−17.2%−21.8%−0.7%——
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF0 of 6−2.4%−28.4%−33.5%−16.4%−5.8%−20.1%−23.5%−0.5%——
SPDW State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF0 of 6−2.5%−29.0%−33.7%−16.5%−5.8%−20.6%−23.0%0.0%−60.0%—
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF0 of 3−3.0%−28.4%−35.7%———————
DFAX Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF1 of 2−2.7%−27.9%————————
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF0 of 3−2.5%−29.3%−33.2%———————
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF2 of 6−2.6%−30.4%−31.7%−12.0%−6.7%−21.6%————
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF2 of 6−2.7%−31.4%−30.8%−12.1%−6.8%−22.3%−28.0%0.0%−66.4%—
CWI State Street SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF2 of 6−2.5%−28.5%−32.7%−14.4%−6.2%−20.2%−23.9%−0.8%−60.8%—
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF1 of 6−2.5%−28.7%−32.6%−16.3%−5.9%−20.7%−22.7%−0.2%−61.0%—
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF2 of 5−2.5%−28.4%−33.9%−17.2%−5.5%—————
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF2 of 6−2.5%−28.3%−32.8%−14.9%−6.2%−20.7%−24.6%0.0%−61.5%—
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF0 of 6−2.5%−29.2%−33.2%−17.1%−5.8%−19.9%————
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF3 of 6−1.3%−34.2%−29.0%−17.1%−5.9%−17.0%−23.7%−0.1%−58.4%—
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF2 of 6−2.4%−31.8%−37.5%−8.7%−6.6%−16.2%−23.7%———
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF6 of 60.0%−13.7%−5.9%−0.8%−0.2%−1.1%————
IGOV iShares International Treasury Bond ETF5 of 60.0%−28.9%−11.1%−3.3%−1.1%−6.1%−6.0%−0.5%——
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF0 of 6−2.5%−28.4%−33.4%−15.1%−6.1%−20.2%−24.2%———
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF2 of 6−2.5%−28.8%−32.8%−14.8%−5.9%−20.9%−24.4%−0.1%——
SPEM State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF3 of 6−2.8%−27.8%−30.5%−10.7%−6.7%−23.4%−25.9%0.0%−64.4%—
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF3 of 6−2.7%−27.9%−30.6%−11.3%−6.8%−23.8%−27.9%0.0%−67.7%—
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How closely does IXUS move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares IXUS with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than IXUS's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
IXUS This pageiShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF76%91%0.840.81
VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF100%103%0.971.02
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF90%98%0.920.94
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF75%84%0.890.76
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF79%93%0.860.84
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF71%83%0.860.77
CWI State Street SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF76%88%0.860.80
SPEM State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF65%76%0.860.69
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF76%89%0.850.80
SPDW State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF80%95%0.840.86
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF76%91%0.840.82
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF75%90%0.840.80
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF63%75%0.840.69
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF70%84%0.830.77
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF76%92%0.830.81
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF11%13%0.830.14
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF77%94%0.820.82
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF78%104%0.750.87
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF55%101%0.550.75
IGOV iShares International Treasury Bond ETF15%44%0.350.29
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What diversifies IXUS?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with IXUS's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing IXUS with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which IXUS lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% IXUS and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220182015201480/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (this page)1.00+48.4%0.56−16.5%−14.4%−4.7%−5.0%15.3%+9.3%
MLPX EnergyGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF0.48+135%0.97+21.5%−15.5%−35.3%+16.2%14.4%+11.7%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.47+126%0.96−0.8%−1.9%−10.7%−2.2%14.1%+11.3%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.28+177%0.93+64.4%−18.2%−21.5%−8.7%14.5%+12.5%
AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF0.35+111%0.89+25.5%−12.6%−25.7%+4.8%13.9%+11.4%
DBMF AlternativesiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF-0.30+59.7%0.82+21.6%———11.7%+9.9%
DBA AlternativesInvesco DB Agriculture Fund0.19+66.4%0.81+2.5%−8.7%−17.2%+2.6%12.8%+9.8%
USO CommoditiesUnited States Oil Fund, LP-0.08+176%0.73+29.0%−19.6%−46.0%−42.4%13.8%+13.2%
FLSP AlternativesFranklin Systematic Style Premia ETF0.00+49.8%0.68+0.5%———12.3%+9.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220182015201480/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (this page)1.00+48.4%0.56−16.5%−14.4%−4.7%−5.0%15.3%+9.3%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.28+479%1.55+54.1%−24.5%+12.6%+23.0%14.6%+15.1%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.30+3,143%1.47+1.3%−16.3%−6.0%+12.9%19.3%+27.5%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.39+1,636%1.46+17.0%+0.8%+67.7%−10.4%17.8%+23.5%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.12+413%1.44+51.8%−28.4%−4.5%+29.3%13.7%+14.6%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.23+690%1.41+86.6%−8.2%+17.4%+0.4%15.1%+17.2%
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Common questions

What was IXUS's worst drawdown?

IXUS's deepest decline since it began trading in 2012 was 36.2%, from January 2018 to March 2020. It took eight months from the low to climb back to its old high. Because IXUS launched in October 2012, that record does not include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

What were IXUS's best and worst years?

Over 13 full calendar years, IXUS's best year was 2025, when it returned 32.4%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -16.5%.

Is there a better investment than IXUS?

Among IXUS's popular alternatives, VTI and EFV earned more than IXUS over the past 5 years with similar volatility: VTI returned 11.5% a year at 17.5% volatility, against 8.2% a year at 16.6%. VEA tracks the same thing for 0.03% a year against IXUS's 0.07%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $40 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years.

Is IXUS more volatile than the S&P 500?

No. IXUS's volatility over the past 5 years was 16.6%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IXUS's return lands within 16.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is IXUS's Sharpe ratio?

IXUS's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.56, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IXUS earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is IXUS with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, IXUS's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.80 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IXUS instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IXUS holding.

What are the best alternatives to IXUS?

Of the 24 popular alternatives we compared, seven outperformed IXUS in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: EFV, VTI and VT.

Did IXUS outperform the S&P 500?

IXUS finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of 13 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +32.4%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did IXUS do in stock market crashes?

IXUS fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the six major crashes it has traded through, and further in two. The clearest case was the late-2018 sell-off, when IXUS fell 15.4% and the S&P 500 fell 19.3%.

What diversifies IXUS?

These had a low correlation with IXUS over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, MLPX (correlation 0.48), GLD (correlation 0.47) and XLE (correlation 0.28); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.28), CLS (correlation 0.30) and FIX (correlation 0.39). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to IXUS