PALU vs VXUS
Direxion Daily PANW Bull 2X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PALU or VXUS?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PALU 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 | PALU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.08% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.08% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 11 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +265.79%Best | +12.88% |
| 1Y Return | +170.99%Best | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 129.9% | 12.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2% | -12.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $28,829Best | $14,127 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2025 | Jan 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 23, 2026 (1.5 years).
PALU 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.
PALU vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily PANW Bull 2X ETF (PALU) 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 PALU returned +170.99% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, PALU is up 265.79% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PALU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 129.9% compared with 12.3% 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 -62.2% for PALU 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 0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PALU charges 1.08% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $108 vs $5 annually, a gap of $103 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PALU currently yields 4.08% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in PALU and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 96.4% 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 4 positions we hold weights for in PALU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 11 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PALU 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, PALU or VXUS?
PALU has an expense ratio of 1.08% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $103 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PALU or VXUS?
Over the past year PALU returned +170.99% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so PALU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PALU annualized +102.56% vs +25.90% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PALU or VXUS?
PALU has been the more volatile fund at 129.9% annualized versus 12.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PALU -62.2% vs VXUS -12.2%.
Should I hold both PALU and VXUS?
PALU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.11, 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, PALU or VXUS?
PALU yields 4.08% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PALU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PALU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PALU 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.