MILK vs VXUS
Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MILK or VXUS?
Short Term High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | MILK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.02% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 104 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.43% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.34% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.3%Best | 11.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.2%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $10,215 | $15,003Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 18, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.7 years).
MILK 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
MILK vs VXUS Performance
Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MILK returned -4.34% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, MILK is down 2.43% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.5% compared with 5.3% for MILK. 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 -6.2% for MILK and -13.6% 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MILK charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MILK currently yields 7.02% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 95 holdings in MILK and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 92.7% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 95 positions we hold weights for in MILK and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 104 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MILK 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, MILK or VXUS?
MILK has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MILK or VXUS?
Over the past year MILK returned -4.34% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MILK annualized +1.26% vs +26.95% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MILK or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 5.3% for MILK. Worst drawdown: MILK -6.2% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both MILK and VXUS?
MILK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, MILK or VXUS?
MILK yields 7.02% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so MILK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MILK?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.