PBUS vs VXUS
Invesco MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PBUS or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
PBUS has a lower expense ratio. PBUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | PBUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $11.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 530 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.73% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.64% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.75%Best | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.98%Best | +8.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,608Best | $15,099 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2017 to Sep 15, 2026 (9 years).
PBUS 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 years both funds cover.
PBUS vs VXUS Performance
Invesco MSCI USA ETF (PBUS) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PBUS returned +14.64% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, PBUS is up 10.73% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, PBUS compounded at +20.75% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.98% and +8.59% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, PBUS has the edge at +14.78% annualized vs +7.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 15.6% 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 -33.2% for PBUS 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBUS charges 0.04% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PBUS currently yields 1.03% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of PBUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
7 positions in common, counted across the 500 positions we hold weights for in PBUS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 530 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PBUS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.03% | 0.76% | 0.73% |
| WCN:CAWaste Connections Inc Common Stock Cad 0 | 0.06% | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| AMRZ:SMAmrize Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PBUS 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, PBUS or VXUS?
PBUS has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VXUS charges 0.05%. PBUS is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PBUS or VXUS?
Over the past year PBUS returned +14.64% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), PBUS annualized +14.78% vs +7.07% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PBUS or VXUS?
PBUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.6% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PBUS -33.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PBUS and VXUS?
PBUS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, PBUS or VXUS?
PBUS yields 1.03% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PBUS?
PBUS has a lower expense ratio. PBUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.