PCLG vs VXUS
Polen Focus Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PCLG or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led 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 | PCLG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $92M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.04% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 27 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -7.66% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | -9.79% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 14.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Polen Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
PCLG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
PCLG vs VXUS Performance
Polen Focus Growth ETF (PCLG) is an ETF from Polen Capital and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PCLG returned -9.79% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, PCLG is down 7.66% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCLG 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, PCLG currently yields 0.04% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 9.5% of PCLG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
PCLG and VXUS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in PCLG and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 27 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCLG 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, PCLG or VXUS?
PCLG 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, PCLG or VXUS?
Over the past year PCLG returned -9.79% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PCLG or VXUS?
PCLG has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.0% for VXUS.
Should I hold both PCLG and VXUS?
PCLG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, 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 PCLG and VXUS?
At least 9.5% of PCLG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in PCLG and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PCLG or VXUS?
PCLG yields 0.04% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PCLG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.