iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • International
Expense Ratio
0.07%
AUM
$35.0B
Dividend Yield
2.80%
Inception
2012
Beginner Score
9.5/10
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 comprehensive 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
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% |
| Total Holdings | 4,400 |
| P/E Ratio | 15.0 |
| Beta | 0.85 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.80% |
| AUM | $35.0B |
| Inception Year | 2012 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in IXUS
IXUS holds 4,400 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taiwan Semiconductor | TSM | 2.20% |
| 2 | Novo Nordisk | NVO | 1.80% |
| 3 | ASML Holding | ASML | 1.50% |
| 4 | Samsung Electronics | 005930.KS | 1.40% |
| 5 | Nestle | NSRGY | 1.20% |
| 6 | Toyota Motor | TM | 1.10% |
| 7 | Tencent Holdings | TCEHY | 1.00% |
| 8 | Shell | SHEL | 1.00% |
| 9 | AstraZeneca | AZN | 0.90% |
| 10 | SAP | SAP | 0.90% |
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
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:
YTD
2.20%
1 Year
10.00%
3 Year
4.00%
5 Year
6.00%
10 Year
5.00%
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
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "IXUS" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF.
- 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.
- 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.
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):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*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.
Get the Free ETF Portfolio Blueprint
3 model portfolios for beginners — Conservative, Balanced, and Growth. See exactly which ETFs to buy.
Pros and Cons of IXUS
Pros
- ✓Comprehensive international coverage across developed and emerging markets in one fund
- ✓Over 4,400 holdings provide deep diversification across countries, sectors, and sizes
- ✓Low 0.07% expense ratio is exceptional for such broad international coverage
- ✓Includes all market caps from large to small for complete international exposure
Cons
- ✗Currency risk can significantly impact returns for U.S.-based investors
- ✗International markets have generally lagged U.S. stocks over the past decade
- ✗Emerging market exposure adds political, regulatory, and liquidity risk
IXUS vs Similar ETFs
See how IXUS stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IXUS a good ETF for beginners?▾
IXUS has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of IXUS?▾
IXUS has an expense ratio of 0.07%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $7 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in IXUS?▾
You can invest in IXUS with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does IXUS pay dividends?▾
Yes, IXUS pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 2.80%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in IXUS?▾
The top holdings in IXUS include Taiwan Semiconductor (2.20%), Novo Nordisk (1.80%), ASML Holding (1.50%), and more. The fund holds 4,400 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.