PDN vs VXUS
Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-US Small-Mid ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PDN or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PDN led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | PDN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $348M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.28% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 1,591 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +9.60% | +10.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.10% | +16.35%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.77%Best | +19.65% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.56% | +8.43%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,740 | $14,988Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 27, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 15, 2026 (15.7 years).
PDN 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
PDN vs VXUS Performance
Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-US Small-Mid ETF (PDN) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PDN returned +15.10% while VXUS returned +16.35%. Year to date, PDN is up 9.60% versus a gain of 10.34% for VXUS.
Over three years, PDN compounded at +19.77% per year against +19.65% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.56% and +8.43% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, PDN has the edge at +5.10% annualized vs +4.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 15.0% 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 -45.1% for PDN and -39.9% 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PDN charges 0.47% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $5 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PDN currently yields 3.28% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 76.8% of PDN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of PDN is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,150 positions in common, counted across the 1,550 positions we hold weights for in PDN and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 1,591 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PDN | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSEM:ILTower Semiconductor Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.24% | 0.05% | 0.19% |
| AIR:NZAir New Zealand Ltd | 0.00% | 0.29% | 0.29% |
| CS:CACapstone Mining Corp | 0.10% | 0.18% | 0.08% |
| 522:HKAsm Pacific Technology Ltd | 0.24% | 0.01% | 0.23% |
| 5301:JPTokai Carbon Co Ltd | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| GFL:CAGfl Environmental Inc | 0.22% | 0.02% | 0.20% |
| CCO:CACameco Corporation Com Npv | 0.15% | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| ENX:ASEuronext Nv | 0.19% | 0.04% | 0.15% |
| VAR:OSVar Energi Asa | 0.22% | 0.01% | 0.21% |
| FRO:BMFrontline PLC | 0.22% | 0.01% | 0.21% |
76.8% of PDN 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, PDN or VXUS?
PDN has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PDN or VXUS?
Over the past year PDN returned +15.10% vs +16.35% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PDN annualized +5.10% vs +4.55% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PDN or VXUS?
PDN has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PDN -45.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PDN and VXUS?
PDN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PDN and VXUS?
At least 76.8% of PDN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,150 positions in common, counted across the 1,550 positions we hold weights for in PDN and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PDN or VXUS?
PDN yields 3.28% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so PDN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PDN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PDN led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.