PCEM vs VXUS
Polen Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PCEM or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PCEM led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | PCEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.34% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 35 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5% | 11.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.9% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $11,909 | $13,341Best |
| Fund Family | Polen Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 10, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 190 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PCEM has data through Mar 16, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 22, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 11, 2024 to Mar 16, 2026 (1.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 11.8% 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 -19.9% for PCEM 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCEM charges 1.00% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $5 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCEM currently yields 0.34% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 46.6% of PCEM'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 245 days apart, PCEM as of Nov 28, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
19 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in PCEM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 35 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PCEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RADL3:BVRaia Drogasil S.a. | 4.13% | 0.01% | 4.12% |
| 2345:TWAccton Technology Corp | 4.02% | 0.07% | 3.95% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 3.32% | 0.35% | 2.97% |
| WEGE3:BVWeg Sa Common Stock Brl 0 | 3.28% | 0.03% | 3.25% |
| HDBK:MBHdfc Bank Limited Common Stock Inr1.0 | 2.92% | 0.20% | 2.72% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 2.79% | 0.14% | 2.65% |
| SALIK:AESalik Co Pjscsalik Co Pjsc | 2.67% | 0.01% | 2.66% |
| 145020:KRHugel Inc | 2.65% | 0.00% | 2.65% |
| ICICIGI:MBIcici Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd | 2.55% | 0.01% | 2.54% |
| 4142:SARiyadh Cables Group Co | 2.36% | 0.00% | 2.36% |
46.6% of PCEM is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PCEM or VXUS?
PCEM has an expense ratio of 1.00% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PCEM or VXUS?
PCEM has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 11.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PCEM -19.9% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PCEM and VXUS?
PCEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PCEM and VXUS?
At least 46.6% of PCEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in PCEM and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PCEM or VXUS?
PCEM yields 0.34% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PCEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PCEM led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.