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IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

Category: Foreign Large Cap Equities

Inception: 2012-10-18 Issuer: BlackRock, Inc.
Net Assets
$39.9B
Expense Ratio
0.07 %
# of Holdings
4
Average Daily Volume
2.53M

Fund Overview

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is designed to provide broad exposure to international equities outside the United States. The fund tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index, which includes large, mid, and small-cap stocks across developed and emerging markets. With over 4,000 holdings, IXUS offers diversified access to global markets, covering approximately 99% of the international equity market capitalization. The ETF is a cost-effective way for investors to gain international diversification, with a low expense ratio of 0.07%. IXUS is suitable for long-term investors seeking to complement their U.S. equity exposure with a globally diversified portfolio.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
N/A
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
No
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - 2.50 %
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
3 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the IXUS ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Broad diversification across developed and emerging markets outside the U.S.
  • Low expense ratio (0.07%) makes it cost-efficient for long-term investors.
  • Exposure to over 4,000 stocks, reducing single-stock risk.
  • Includes small and mid-cap stocks, offering more comprehensive market coverage than some peers.
  • Liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads due to high assets under management.

Potential Risks

  • Exposure to currency fluctuations, as holdings are denominated in foreign currencies.
  • Emerging markets carry higher political and economic risks compared to developed markets.
  • Performance may lag during periods of U.S. dollar strength.
  • No direct U.S. equity exposure, which may underperform when domestic markets outperform.
  • Higher volatility compared to U.S.-focused ETFs due to geopolitical and economic risks abroad.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
+0.39% -2.30% +17.77% +77.51% +59.18% +13.32% +32.76% +6.49% +185.22%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +5.6% +5.2% -7.9% +7.5% +3.8% -0.1% -0.9% +3.0% -2.5% +1.1% - -
2025 +3.4% +1.9% +0.2% +3.1% +4.8% +4.1% -0.8% +4.1% +3.4% +1.7% +0.4% +2.3%
2024 -1.7% +3.0% +3.3% -2.4% +4.1% -0.5% +2.4% +2.4% +2.5% -4.5% -0.3% -2.7%
2023 +8.8% -4.3% +2.8% +1.9% -3.6% +4.5% +4.0% -4.5% -3.5% -3.5% +8.4% +5.2%
2022 -2.9% -3.1% -0.3% -6.6% +1.3% -8.1% +3.9% -4.6% -9.9% +3.8% +12.9% -2.2%
2021 +0.2% +2.4% +2.0% +2.8% +3.0% -0.4% -1.2% +1.5% -3.5% +2.9% -4.4% +3.5%
2020 -3.2% -7.0% -15.7% +7.1% +4.9% +4.3% +4.2% +4.5% -1.7% -2.1% +12.5% +5.8%
2019 +7.8% +1.6% +1.0% +2.7% -5.4% +5.7% -1.8% -2.3% +2.6% +3.2% +1.2% +4.3%
2018 +5.6% -5.0% -0.3% +0.4% -1.6% -2.1% +2.4% -2.2% +0.2% -8.3% +1.2% -4.9%
2017 +4.1% +1.4% +2.7% +2.4% +2.8% +0.8% +3.6% +0.7% +2.0% +2.0% +0.6% +2.1%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
RY ROYAL BANK OF CANADA 0.5 %
SHOP n/a 0.5 %
TD THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK 0.3 %
ENB ENBRIDGE INC 0.3 %
SPOT SPOTIFY TECHNOLOGY SA 0.3 %
BN n/a 0.3 %
PDD PDD HOLDINGS INC ADR 0.2 %
CP CANADIAN PACIFIC KANSAS CITY LTD 0.2 %
BMO BANK OF MONTREAL 0.2 %
CNQ CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LTD 0.2 %
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 4 total holdings.

Related ETFs: IXUS vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
DFAX Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF 0.29 % $7.6B 10 Equity
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF 0.25 % $14.5B 646 Equity
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF 0.25 % $14.3B 932 Equity
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF 0.04 % $18.2B 2 Equity
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF 0.07 % $127.6B 2 Equity
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF 0.06 % $42.8B 1 Equity
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF 0.40 % $9B 2 Equity
SPDW SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF 0.03 % $23.5B 2 Equity
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund 0.04 % $59.5B 3 Equity
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF 0.05 % $455.4B 8 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

IXUS tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index, which includes large, mid, and small-cap stocks from developed and emerging markets outside the U.S. The index is market-cap weighted, meaning larger companies have a greater influence on performance. The fund holds over 4,000 securities, providing broad diversification across sectors and regions. It is passively managed and rebalanced quarterly to align with index changes. The ETF primarily holds common stocks but may include depositary receipts and other equity-like instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does IXUS include U.S. stocks?

No, IXUS only includes stocks from developed and emerging markets outside the United States.

What percentage of IXUS is allocated to emerging markets?

Approximately 25% of IXUS is allocated to emerging markets, with the remainder in developed markets.

How often does IXUS rebalance?

IXUS rebalances quarterly to align with changes in the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index.

Is IXUS a good long-term investment?

IXUS can be a solid long-term holding for diversification, but investors should consider currency risks and geopolitical factors.

What are the top country exposures in IXUS?

As of the latest data, Japan, the UK, China, Canada, and France are among the largest country exposures in IXUS.

Industry Overview

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) provides exposure to the global equity market outside the U.S., encompassing both developed and emerging markets. International investing allows diversification beyond domestic equities, potentially reducing portfolio risk while capturing growth opportunities in faster-growing economies. However, investors should be aware of currency risk, geopolitical factors, and varying regulatory environments. IXUS is a popular choice for investors seeking a single, low-cost solution for broad international equity exposure.

Alternative Comparison

Compared to VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF), IXUS has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.07% vs. 0.08%) and includes small-cap stocks, whereas VXUS excludes them. Unlike SPDW (SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF), which focuses only on developed markets, IXUS includes emerging markets for broader diversification. Both IXUS and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are low-cost options, but IEFA excludes emerging markets and small-cap stocks, making IXUS more comprehensive.

Issuer Overview

iShares, a subsidiary of BlackRock, is the largest ETF provider globally, known for its extensive range of low-cost index-tracking funds. With over $3 trillion in assets under management, iShares offers ETFs covering various asset classes, including equities, fixed income, and alternatives. The firm is recognized for its liquidity, transparency, and investor education resources.

Conclusion

IXUS is a well-rounded, low-cost ETF for investors seeking diversified international equity exposure. Its inclusion of both developed and emerging markets, along with small and mid-cap stocks, makes it a comprehensive choice. While currency and geopolitical risks are inherent in international investing, IXUS provides an efficient way to access global growth opportunities outside the U.S.

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