vs VXUS
Backtest I Fund vs VXUSJan 28, 2011 – Oct 2, 2026, TSP-I for the I Fund, VXUS for VXUS, VXUS sets the start date
Growth of $10,000
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Key metrics
| Return | I Fund | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Final balance | $31,882 | $27,474 |
| Total return | +218.82% | +174.74% |
| CAGR | +7.68% | +6.66% |
| Calendar years | I Fund | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Best year | +32.45% | +32.35% |
| Worst year | −13.94% | −16.08% |
| Positive years | 10 of 14 | 10 of 14 |
| Risk | I Fund | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown | −33.18% | −35.97% |
| Longest drawdown | 2.4 years | 2.8 years |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.63% | 17.70% |
| Risk-adjusted | I Fund | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratio | 0.53 | 0.45 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.73 | 0.62 |
| Calmar ratio | 0.23 | 0.19 |
Trailing returns
| Period | I Fund | VXUS | I Fund − VXUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD | +16.89% | +14.08% | +2.81% |
| 1Y | +22.52% | +18.26% | +4.27% |
| 3Y | +21.94% | +20.89% | +1.05% |
| 5Y | +11.09% | +9.43% | +1.66% |
| 10Y | +10.11% | +9.25% | +0.86% |
| 15Y | +9.39% | +8.42% | +0.97% |
Rolling returns
| Period | I Fund median | VXUS median | More often ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | +9.99% | +9.50% | I Fund 64% |
| 3Y | +6.40% | +5.60% | I Fund 67% |
| 5Y | +6.50% | +5.76% | I Fund 83% |
| 10Y | +5.89% | +5.30% | I Fund >99% |
Worst drawdowns · I Fund
| Decline | Peak | Bottom | Recovered | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −33.2% | Jan 2020 | Mar 2020 | Nov 2020 | 10 months |
| −29.1% | Sep 2021 | Sep 2022 | Feb 2024 | 2.4 years |
| −25.9% | May 2011 | Nov 2011 | Mar 2013 | 1.9 years |
| −22.6% | May 2015 | Feb 2016 | May 2017 | 1.9 years |
| −21.1% | Jan 2018 | Dec 2018 | Jan 2020 | 1.9 years |
| Decline | Peak | Bottom | Recovered | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −36.0% | Jan 2018 | Mar 2020 | Nov 2020 | 2.8 years |
| −29.4% | Sep 2021 | Oct 2022 | May 2024 | 2.7 years |
| −27.0% | Apr 2011 | Oct 2011 | May 2013 | 2 years |
| −24.9% | Jul 2014 | Feb 2016 | May 2017 | 2.8 years |
| −13.6% | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 | May 2025 | 1 month |
Annual returns
| Year | I Fund | VXUS | I Fund − VXUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +25.42% | +27.46% | −2.04% |
| 2018 | −13.43% | −14.43% | +1.00% |
| 2019 | +22.47% | +21.75% | +0.73% |
| 2020 | +8.17% | +10.66% | −2.50% |
| 2021 | +11.45% | +8.98% | +2.47% |
| 2022 | −13.94% | −16.08% | +2.14% |
| 2023 | +18.38% | +15.86% | +2.52% |
| 2024 | +4.27% | +5.08% | −0.81% |
| 2025 | +32.45% | +32.35% | +0.10% |
| 2026to Oct 2 | +16.89% | +14.08% | +2.81% |
About I Fund vs VXUS
Both hold stocks outside the US. Since 2024 the I Fund has tracked an index of developed and emerging markets that leaves out China and Hong Kong; before that it held developed markets only. VXUS holds stocks from every country outside the US, China included.
The I Fund returned 7.7% a year from Jan 2011 to Oct 2026, against 6.7% for VXUS. The I Fund fell furthest in 2020, by 33.2%, and VXUS in 2018–2020, by 36.0%. The I Fund beat VXUS in 9 of 14 full years and in nearly every rolling 10-year period.
Uses daily closing prices with dividends reinvested. Fund fees are included, but not taxes or trading costs. The comparison starts on Jan 28, 2011, when VXUS's prices begin.