iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS): Complete Beginner's Guide

What is iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF?

IXUS tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index, covering stocks from developed and emerging markets outside the United States across all market capitalizations. With over 4,000 holdings spanning Europe, Asia, Latin America, and beyond, it is a detailed one-stop fund for international equity exposure. The low expense ratio makes it one of the most cost-effective ways to diversify beyond U.S. borders.

IXUS is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2012. With $35.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.07%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $7 per year in management fees.

IXUS at a Glance — Key Metrics

Top 10 Holdings in IXUS

IXUS holds 4,400 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:

IXUS Performance History

Here's how IXUS has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:

Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10

Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.

IXUS scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 4,400 holdings, and has been available since 2012, giving it a proven track record.

How to Buy IXUS — Step by Step

1. Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
2. Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
3. Search for "IXUS" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF.
4. Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
5. Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.

IXUS Sector Allocation

Here's how IXUS distributes its investments across different sectors of the economy:

Dollar Cost Averaging Into IXUS

Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):

*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Fee impact: With IXUS's expense ratio of 0.07%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $600 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.

Pros and Cons of IXUS

IXUS vs Similar ETFs

See how IXUS stacks up against similar funds:

Frequently Asked Questions