PCIG vs VXUS
Polen Capital International Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PCIG or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth 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 | PCIG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 34 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $9,353 | $15,710Best |
| Fund Family | iMGP Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 1, 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 35 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PCIG has data through Aug 14, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Aug 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 11.4% 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 -23.4% for PCIG 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCIG charges 0.85% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $5 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCIG currently yields 0.15% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 30 holdings in PCIG and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 93.8% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 13 positions appear in both.
13 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in PCIG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 34 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PCIG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 5.49% | 1.42% | 4.07% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 6.10% | 0.32% | 5.78% |
| SU:PASchneider Electric | 5.46% | 0.41% | 5.05% |
| LONN:SMLonza Group Ag | 5.13% | 0.11% | 5.02% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd. Com Stk | 3.85% | 0.33% | 3.52% |
| 1299:HKAia Group Ltd. Shs | 3.69% | 0.24% | 3.45% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 3.11% | 0.57% | 2.54% |
| SGE:LNSage Group Plc/the | 3.61% | 0.03% | 3.58% |
| 6146:JPDisco Corp | 2.71% | 0.07% | 2.64% |
| 7011:JPMitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Com Stk | 2.29% | 0.17% | 2.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCIG 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, PCIG or VXUS?
PCIG has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PCIG or VXUS?
PCIG has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 11.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PCIG -23.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PCIG and VXUS?
PCIG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, PCIG or VXUS?
PCIG yields 0.15% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PCIG?
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.