PALD vs VXUS

PALD vs VXUS

Which is better, PALD or VXUS?

Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: VXUS

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

MetricPALDVXUS
Expense Ratio1.02%0.05%Best
AUM$3M$158.1B
Dividend Yield6.15%2.51%
Holdings88,747
YTD Return-58.75%+14.49%Best
1Y Return-52.41%+21.52%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+20.55%
5Y Return (annualized)-+9.57%
Volatility (annualized)46.7%12.1%Best
Max Drawdown-67.4%-12.2%Best
$10,000 over 1.5 years$4,079$14,349Best
Fund FamilyDirexion Shares ETF TrustVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleTrading-Leveraged EquityLarge Cap Blend
InceptionMar 26, 2025Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 26, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.5 years).

PALD 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 1.5 years both funds cover.

PALD vs VXUS Performance

Direxion Daily PANW Bear 1X ETF (PALD) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PALD returned -52.41% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, PALD is down 58.75% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

PALD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 46.7% compared with 12.1% 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 -67.4% for PALD and -12.2% 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 -0.09. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

PALD charges 1.02% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $102 vs $5 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PALD currently yields 6.15% against 2.51% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 3 holdings in PALD and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.2% 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 3 positions we hold weights for in PALD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 8 and 8,747.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of PALD and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

PALDVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, PALD or VXUS?

PALD has an expense ratio of 1.02% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, PALD or VXUS?

Over the past year PALD returned -52.41% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PALD annualized -45.00% vs +27.22% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, PALD or VXUS?

PALD has been the more volatile fund at 46.7% annualized versus 12.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PALD -67.4% vs VXUS -12.2%.

Should I hold both PALD and VXUS?

PALD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.09, 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, PALD or VXUS?

PALD yields 6.15% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PALD currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than PALD?

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.