PAAA vs VXUS
PGIM AAA CLO ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PAAA or VXUS?
Investment Grade Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | PAAA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $12.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.58% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 318 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +3.40% | +13.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.94% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.34% | +19.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.7%Best | 12.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.0%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $12,135 | $16,192Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Investment Grade Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 19, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2023 to Sep 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
PAAA 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 3.1 years both funds cover.
PAAA vs VXUS Performance
PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PAAA returned +4.94% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, PAAA is up 3.40% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, PAAA compounded at +6.34% per year against +19.23% 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 12.3% compared with 0.7% for PAAA. 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 -1.0% for PAAA 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 0.26. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAAA charges 0.19% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $5 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PAAA currently yields 5.58% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 33 holdings in PAAA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 6.8% 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 33 positions we hold weights for in PAAA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 318 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAAA 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, PAAA or VXUS?
PAAA has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PAAA or VXUS?
Over the past year PAAA returned +4.94% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAAA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 0.7% for PAAA. Worst drawdown: PAAA -1.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PAAA and VXUS?
PAAA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.26, 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, PAAA or VXUS?
PAAA yields 5.58% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PAAA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PAAA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.