PCRB vs VXUS
Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PCRB or VXUS?
Investment Grade Bond 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 | PCRB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.74% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 568 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.6%Best | 12.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.2%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $11,141 | $16,607Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Investment Grade Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2023 | 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 93 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PCRB has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 20, 2023 to Jun 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 5.6% for PCRB. 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 -7.2% for PCRB 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCRB charges 0.36% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $36 vs $5 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCRB currently yields 9.74% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 381 holdings in PCRB and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 82.5% and 87.7% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, PCRB as of Jan 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 381 positions we hold weights for in PCRB and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 568 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PCRB | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATDBCN 2.95 01/25/30Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc 25/01/2030 | 0.08% | 0.11% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCRB 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, PCRB or VXUS?
PCRB has an expense ratio of 0.36% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PCRB or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 5.6% for PCRB. Worst drawdown: PCRB -7.2% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PCRB and VXUS?
PCRB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, PCRB or VXUS?
PCRB yields 9.74% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PCRB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PCRB?
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.