PCFI vs VXUS
Polen Floating Rate Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PCFI or VXUS?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | PCFI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.29% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 124 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.92% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.12% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.0%Best | -12.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $10,462 | $14,159Best |
| Fund Family | Polen Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 24, 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 24, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.5 years).
PCFI 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.
PCFI vs VXUS Performance
Polen Floating Rate Income ETF (PCFI) is an ETF from Polen Capital and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PCFI returned +2.12% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, PCFI is up 2.92% versus a gain of 13.64% 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 12.2% compared with 4.5% for PCFI. 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 -4.0% for PCFI and -12.9% 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 0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCFI charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCFI currently yields 10.29% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 32 holdings in PCFI and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 24.6% 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 32 positions we hold weights for in PCFI and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 124 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCFI 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, PCFI or VXUS?
PCFI has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PCFI or VXUS?
Over the past year PCFI returned +2.12% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PCFI annualized +3.06% vs +26.09% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PCFI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 4.5% for PCFI. Worst drawdown: PCFI -4.0% vs VXUS -12.9%.
Should I hold both PCFI and VXUS?
PCFI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, 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, PCFI or VXUS?
PCFI yields 10.29% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PCFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PCFI?
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.