ETFs · ETF deep dive · Published 2026-05-15 · 12 min

IXUS ETF Analysis: Holdings, Fees, Inception, Sectors, And Portfolio Role

IXUS is iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, issued by BlackRock. Review its inception date, expense ratio, index strategy, top holdings, sector exposure, risks, and portfolio role.

Summary

IXUS is iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, a Foreign Large Blend issued by BlackRock. Latest snapshot: inception Oct 18, 2012, expense ratio 0.07%, AUM $56.61B, 4,222 holdings, top-10 weight 13.26%, and mandate/index: MSCI AC World ex USA IMI

IXUS is best read as a international diversification sleeve, not just a ticker symbol.
AUM and cost: $56.61B; expense ratio 0.07%.
Concentration: 4,222 holdings; top-10 weight 13.26%, which is low.
Largest visible exposure: Financials at 22.40%.

ETF Profile

The facts that define ownership cost, structure, and portfolio behavior.

Issuer BlackRock
Expense ratio 0.07%
Holdings 4,222 holdings
Top-10 weight 13.26%
www.snowballhare.com

Investor Checklist

  • Issuer and listing venue: BlackRock, NASDAQ.
  • Launch date and fee: Oct 18, 2012, 0.07%.
  • Portfolio size and concentration: 4,222 holdings, with the top 10 at 13.26%.
  • Primary exposure: Equity; Foreign Large Blend; Index: MSCI AC World ex USA IMI
  • Best use case: International diversification sleeve for investors who want exposure beyond the U.S. market.
  • Main risk to respect: The key risk is that IXUS's stated diversification may not protect investors if its dominant exposure, largest holdings, or main macro factor reverses. Current top-10 concentration is 13.26%.

IXUS Investor Snapshot

IXUS is iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, issued by BlackRock. It is best understood as a international diversification sleeve. The fund has $56.61B in AUM, charges 0.07%, holds 4,222 holdings, and has top-10 concentration of 13.26%. Its largest listed holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (4.05%), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (2.05%), SK hynix Inc. (1.49%).

IXUS ETF Facts: Launch Date, Issuer, Fee, Assets, And Strategy

IXUS is iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF. Issuer: BlackRock. Exchange: NASDAQ. Inception: Oct 18, 2012. Expense ratio: 0.07%. AUM: $56.61B. Mandate or tracked index: MSCI AC World ex USA IMI

IXUS Top Holdings And Concentration

Holdings snapshot: May 19, 2026. IXUS has 4,222 holdings. The top 10 positions account for 13.26%, so investors should read the fund through its largest holdings first rather than assuming every ETF is equally diversified.

  • 2330 - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited: 4.05%
  • 005930 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.: 2.05%
  • 000660 - SK hynix Inc.: 1.49%
  • ASML - ASML Holding N.V.: 1.33%
  • 0700 - Tencent Holdings Limited: 0.88%
  • HSBA - HSBC Holdings plc: 0.72%
  • ROP - Roche Holding AG: 0.69%
  • 9988 - Alibaba Group Holding Limited: 0.69%
  • AZN - AstraZeneca PLC: 0.68%
  • NOVN - Novartis AG: 0.68%

IXUS Sector And Industry Exposure

IXUS exposure summary: Equity; Foreign Large Blend; Index: MSCI AC World ex USA IMI. These exposures explain what investors actually own after buying the ETF. A broad fund is usually driven by sector weights and mega-cap leadership; a sector or thematic fund is driven by the industry cycle; a bond or alternative asset fund is driven by macro variables rather than company earnings.

  • Financials: 22.40%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Industrials: 15.42%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Technology: 12.48%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Consumer Discretionary: 9.09%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Health Care: 7.46%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Materials: 6.70%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Consumer Staples: 6.13%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Communication Services: 5.90%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Other: 4.61%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Energy: 4.08%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.

IXUS Fees, Liquidity, And Product Structure

IXUS trades on NASDAQ. The stated expense ratio is 0.07%, and current AUM is $56.61B. Lower fees matter most for long holding periods, while AUM and trading depth matter when investors place larger orders or need reliable execution during volatile sessions.

IXUS Return Drivers: What Has To Go Right

The return drivers for IXUS are regional earnings, currency translation, country weights, global liquidity, and geopolitical risk. That matters because two ETFs can both look diversified but respond to very different conditions. For IXUS, investors should compare price performance with the fund's dominant exposure, the largest holdings, and the macro factor behind the category.

IXUS Current Market Theme

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF is a Foreign Large Blend ETF with $56.61B in AUM, 4,222 holdings, top-10 concentration of 13.26%, and a leading exposure to Financials (22.40%). The largest holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (4.05%), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (2.05%), SK hynix Inc. (1.49%).

When IXUS Tends To Work

IXUS tends to work when regional earnings, currency translation, country weights, global liquidity, and geopolitical risk are moving in the fund's favor.

IXUS Portfolio Role: Core Holding Or Satellite Position?

International diversification sleeve for investors who want exposure beyond the U.S. market. In practical portfolio terms, IXUS should be sized according to whether it is replacing broad market exposure, adding a factor tilt, expressing a sector view, or hedging a macro risk. The more concentrated the fund, the less it should be treated as a complete portfolio by itself.

IXUS Key Risks Investors Should Watch

The main risks are specific enough to check before buying, not generic ETF fine print.

  • Market risk: IXUS can fall with its asset class even when the fund structure works as designed.
  • Concentration risk: top-10 weight is 13.26%, which is low for an ETF in this category.
  • Exposure risk: the main exposure is Equity; Foreign Large Blend; Index: MSCI AC World ex USA IMI
  • Fee and trading risk: expense ratio is 0.07%; investors should still check spread, volume, and premium/discount before large orders.
  • Thesis risk: The key risk is that IXUS's stated diversification may not protect investors if its dominant exposure, largest holdings, or main macro factor reverses. Current top-10 concentration is 13.26%.

Who IXUS Is Suitable For

IXUS can be useful, but the right investor depends on time horizon, existing overlap, and drawdown tolerance.

  • More suitable for investors who need a international diversification sleeve.
  • More suitable for investors who understand that IXUS's top holdings and sector exposures can dominate short-term returns.
  • Less suitable for investors who need stable cash income unless the fund's underlying asset class is explicitly income-oriented.
  • Less suitable for investors already heavily exposed to the same largest holdings or same macro factor.

IXUS What To Monitor Next

IXUS should be reviewed after new holdings files, major market moves, or category-specific catalysts. The most important checks are:

  • Holdings as of May 19, 2026.
  • AUM: $56.61B.
  • Expense ratio: 0.07%.
  • Top-10 weight: 13.26%.

IXUS Action Reference

A useful ETF article should end with a decision framework. For IXUS, the practical read is:

  • Core-index investor: use as a satellite rather than a replacement for broad diversification.
  • Theme investor: check whether the latest holdings still match the investment thesis.
  • Risk-control investor: cap position size because sector/factor ETFs can underperform for long stretches.

IXUS Bottom Line

IXUS is not just a fund name. It is a package of exposures: iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF; issuer BlackRock; fee 0.07%; AUM $56.61B; 4,222 holdings; top-10 weight 13.26%; holdings date May 19, 2026. The investment case is strongest when the fund's largest holdings, main exposure, and category-level return drivers all point in the same direction.

Common Questions

What is IXUS?

IXUS is iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, a Foreign Large Blend issued by BlackRock.

When did IXUS launch?

IXUS's inception date is Oct 18, 2012.

What is the IXUS expense ratio?

IXUS charges an expense ratio of 0.07%.

What does IXUS hold?

IXUS holds 4,222 holdings. Major holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (4.05%), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (2.05%), SK hynix Inc. (1.49%), ASML Holding N.V. (1.33%), Tencent Holdings Limited (0.88%).

Is IXUS diversified?

IXUS's top 10 holdings are 13.26%.

Who might use IXUS?

International diversification sleeve for investors who want exposure beyond the U.S. market.

Risk Note This page is for education only and does not constitute investment advice. Investing involves risk.