iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

IXUS

Market cap $49.9B

Lineweaver Wealth Advisors fully exited its stake in the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS 1.61%), according to an SEC filing on Friday, in an estimated $11.8 million trade.

If you are looking for the best exchange-traded funds to buy, step back for a second and think big picture instead. Long-term investing requires a plan and shouldn't be handled with off-the-cuff decisions.

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF provides extremely broad international exposure at a very low cost but sacrifices quality by including thousands of weaker companies. IXUS's wide breadth dilutes returns, as many international firms lag U.S. peers in both growth and profitability. In contrast, quality-screened ETFs like IQLT concentrate on high-ROE, low-leverage companies, resulting in stronger returns, faster recoveries from drawdowns, and better long-term compounding despite higher valuation multiples.

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF faces macroeconomic headwinds due to global trade tensions and deflationary risks, especially in China. IXUS's heavy exposure to export-led economies and cyclical sectors increases vulnerability to tariffs, protectionism, and weakening global demand. Tariffs should be dealing a delayed blow. It's just bad to remove a group of people from the viable market for often quite commodified products. Ex-US has clear risks.

I maintain a buy rating on IXUS, driven by strong year-to-date momentum and attractive valuations versus the S&P 500. IXUS offers broad international diversification, low expenses, a higher yield, and a favorable PEG ratio, making it a compelling core holding. Technical analysis confirms a long-term breakout with bullish momentum, though some resistance and seasonal caution are warranted.

VOO, IBIT, IXUS, IQLT and USHY emerge as the most loved ETFs of last week.

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF invests in both developed and emerging markets outside the United States. The ETF has had a strong start to 2025, benefitting from attractive valuations and a weak US dollar. Recent IXUS dividend growth has been particularly strong, at 8.43%, but I only expect dividends to increase by 6% in the long term.

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, with a low expense ratio of 0.07%, holds 4,500 international stocks and benefits from receding global inflation and rate cuts by major central banks. Despite underperforming due to low tech exposure, IXUS is poised for growth with a favorable macroeconomic environment and a weakening U.S. dollar. The global composite PMI and consensus earnings growth for IXUS stocks are improving, indicating a stronger economic outlook and higher earnings in 2025 and 2026.

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF tracks large, mid, and small capitalization companies outside the United States. IXUS has underperformed the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF both in 2024 and over the past three years. This has resulted in IXUS offering a significantly higher earnings and dividend yield compared to the VTI.

The S&P 500 and Russell 2000 are the primary benchmarks for large-cap and small-cap stocks. A broad international ETF should include companies from developed and emerging markets.