If you’ve spent any time looking at your brokerage account lately, you’ve probably noticed a glaring lopsidedness. Most of us are heavily tilted toward the U.S. market. It’s natural; the S&P 500 has been a juggernaut. But there’s a quiet giant sitting in the corner of the ETF world that basically acts as a "buy everything else" button. I’m talking about the ishares msci total intl stock etf (ticker: IXUS).
Honestly, it’s one of those funds that people talk about as a "core holding" but rarely actually look under the hood to see what’s happening. It’s not just a bunch of European banks. As of early 2026, this thing is a massive, sprawling net that catches over 4,200 companies across the entire globe—minus the United States.
The IXUS Reality: It’s Bigger Than You Think
Most people assume "international" means Japan and the UK. While those are definitely in there, the ishares msci total intl stock etf is actually a wild mix of developed and emerging markets. It tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI. That’s a mouthful, but basically, it means it includes large, mid, and small-cap stocks.
You’re getting exposure to the tech foundries in Taiwan, the luxury houses in France, and the massive consumer platforms in China.
It's kinda funny how we ignore these. We use iPhones (chips from TSMC), we wear Louis Vuitton, and we use Samsung appliances. Yet, when it comes to our portfolios, we act like the world ends at the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. IXUS is currently managing over $53 billion in assets, so clearly, some people are paying attention.
What’s actually inside the fund?
If you bought IXUS today, your money wouldn't just be sitting in one place. It’s surprisingly diversified.
💡 You might also like: Missouri Paycheck Tax Calculator: What Most People Get Wrong
- Financials make up about 23% of the fund. We’re talking global heavyweights like HSBC.
- Information Technology sits around 14-15%. This is where the heavy hitters like ASML and Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) live.
- Industrials and Health Care round out the top sectors, with companies like AstraZeneca and Roche Holding AG providing that "defensive" cushion.
Why the ishares msci total intl stock etf is Winning the Fee War
Let's be real: fees kill returns. In 2026, paying more than 0.10% for a broad index fund feels like a scam. BlackRock knows this. The expense ratio for IXUS is a rock-bottom 0.07%.
To put that in perspective, for every $10,000 you invest, you’re paying $7 a year. That’s less than a decent cup of coffee in most cities now. Compare that to some older international mutual funds that still charge 0.80% or more. Over 20 years, that difference is enough to buy a car.
One thing that surprises people is the dividend yield. While the S&P 500 yield has hovered at historically low levels, the ishares msci total intl stock etf has been sporting a trailing yield of roughly 3.1% to 3.6%. International companies often have a stronger culture of returning cash to shareholders via dividends rather than just stock buybacks.
IXUS vs. VXUS: The Great Rivalry
If you're looking at IXUS, you’ve probably also seen VXUS (the Vanguard version). They’re basically the Coke and Pepsi of the international stock world.
Vanguard’s VXUS is technically cheaper at 0.05%, but IXUS has a slightly different index construction. While VXUS holds a staggering 8,600+ stocks, IXUS holds about 4,200. You might think "more is better," but in reality, the performance of these two is almost identical. The extra 4,000 stocks in the Vanguard fund are so tiny that they barely move the needle.
📖 Related: Why Amazon Stock is Down Today: What Most People Get Wrong
One nuance: IXUS tends to have a slightly higher concentration in the top 10 holdings (around 11%). If you want a bit more "purity" in the large-cap names like Samsung and ASML, IXUS gives you that.
The Emerging Markets Wildcard
Here is where it gets interesting. IXUS isn't just "safe" countries. About 25% of the fund is in emerging markets.
This means you’ve got skin in the game in India, China, and Brazil. When emerging markets rally, IXUS catches that tailwind. When they struggle—like we've seen with various regulatory shifts in the Chinese tech sector recently—IXUS feels the pinch.
It's a "total" fund for a reason. You don't have to guess if India will outperform Japan this year. You just own it all.
Performance Check: 2025 was a Surprise
Last year (2025) was actually a standout for international stocks. While the U.S. had its typical tech-driven volatility, the ishares msci total intl stock etf saw total returns north of 30%.
👉 See also: Stock Market Today Hours: Why Timing Your Trade Is Harder Than You Think
A lot of that was driven by the recovery in European manufacturing and the insane demand for semiconductors produced by TSMC in Taiwan. It’s a reminder that the U.S. doesn't always have to be the leader. Cycles happen.
How to Actually Use This in Your Portfolio
Don't just dump all your money into IXUS because the yield looks good. That's a rookie move.
Most financial advisors (the ones who aren't trying to sell you high-commission garbage) suggest an international allocation between 20% and 40%. If you’re at 0%, you’re taking a huge "single-country risk." If the dollar weakens—which it tends to do in cycles—your international holdings like IXUS actually get a boost because those foreign earnings are worth more when converted back to USD.
- Check your current overlap. If you own a "Total World" fund like VT, you already own what's in IXUS. Don't double dip.
- Rebalance annually. Because the U.S. has outperformed for so long, your international "slice" of the pie has likely shrunk. Buying more IXUS helps bring you back to your target.
- Use it in a taxable account? Maybe. International funds like the ishares msci total intl stock etf allow you to claim the Foreign Tax Credit. It’s a nice little tax break that you can't get if you hold the fund in an IRA or 401k.
The Bottom Line
The ishares msci total intl stock etf isn't flashy. It doesn't have a charismatic CEO or a "to the moon" subreddit. It’s a boring, low-cost, incredibly efficient way to own the world.
If you're tired of checking the same five U.S. tech stocks every day, adding a broad international fund provides a level of sanity. It’s about not having all your eggs in one basket—especially when that basket is priced for perfection.
Actionable Next Steps:
Look at your current portfolio and calculate your "Ex-U.S." percentage. If it's under 15%, you're betting heavily on the continued dominance of a single economy. Consider starting a small position in IXUS to capture the next global cycle. If you already hold a similar fund like VXUS, there is generally no reason to switch unless you specifically want the MSCI index exposure or a different dividend payout schedule.