CALF vs VXUS
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CALF or VXUS?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CALF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 200 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +28.28%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +31.63%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.70% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.34% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,250 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.2 years).
CALF vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.2 years both funds cover.
CALF vs VXUS Performance
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CALF returned +31.63% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, CALF is up 28.28% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, CALF compounded at +11.70% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.34% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, CALF has the edge at +10.83% annualized vs +7.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CALF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 15.4% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -47.6% for CALF and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CALF charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CALF currently yields 1.12% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of CALF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
CALF and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 200 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CALF and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CALF or VXUS?
CALF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CALF or VXUS?
Over the past year CALF returned +31.63% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so CALF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), CALF annualized +10.83% vs +7.71% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CALF or VXUS?
CALF has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 15.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: CALF -47.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both CALF and VXUS?
CALF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CALF and VXUS?
At least 1.0% of CALF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, CALF or VXUS?
CALF yields 1.12% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CALF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.