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 the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y 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 | $361M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.11% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,591 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.47% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.01% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.66% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.49% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,694 | $15,295Best |
| 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 Sep 23, 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 +15.01% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, PDN is up 10.47% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, PDN compounded at +18.66% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.49% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, PDN has the edge at +5.17% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% 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 3.11% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,350 holdings in PDN and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 90.6% 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, 1,032 positions appear in both.
1,032 positions in common, counted across the 1,350 positions we hold weights for in PDN and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,591 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PDN | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 0.02% | 1.80% | 1.78% |
| TSEM:ILTower Semiconductor Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.29% | 0.06% | 0.23% |
| AIR:NZAir New Zealand Ltd | 0.00% | 0.31% | 0.31% |
| 522:HKAsm Pacific Technology Ltd | 0.26% | 0.01% | 0.25% |
| SSRMSsr Mining Inc | 0.25% | 0.01% | 0.24% |
| EVN:AUEvolution Mining Ltd Common Stock | 0.22% | 0.04% | 0.18% |
| CCO:CACameco Corporation Com Npv | 0.17% | 0.08% | 0.09% |
| AED:BRAedifica Nv | 0.23% | 0.02% | 0.21% |
| ENX:ASEuronext Nv | 0.19% | 0.04% | 0.15% |
| VAR:OSVar Energi Asa | 0.22% | 0.01% | 0.21% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PDN 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, 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 +15.01% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PDN annualized +5.17% vs +4.72% 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 15.4% 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, PDN or VXUS?
PDN yields 3.11% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PDN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PDN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PDN led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y 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.