PEMX vs VXUS
Putnam Emerging Markets ex-China ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PEMX or VXUS?
PEMX has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PEMX led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | PEMX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.41% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 57 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +33.20%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +56.85%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.53%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.0% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.3 years | $24,674Best | $17,519 |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 17, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 18, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (3.3 years).
PEMX 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 3.3 years both funds cover.
PEMX vs VXUS Performance
Putnam Emerging Markets ex-China ETF (PEMX) is an ETF from Putnam Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PEMX returned +56.85% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, PEMX is up 33.20% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, PEMX compounded at +32.53% per year against +20.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PEMX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 12.1% 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 -19.0% for PEMX 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PEMX charges 0.69% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $5 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PEMX currently yields 5.41% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 45.6% of PEMX'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
32 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PEMX and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 57 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PEMX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 4.39% | 2.17% | 2.22% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 2.44% | 0.27% | 2.17% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 2.42% | 0.22% | 2.20% |
| MAHM:MBMahindra + Mahindra Spon Gdr Gdr 0 Nan | 2.35% | 0.07% | 2.28% |
| ITUB4:BVItau Unibanco Holding S-Pref | 2.27% | 0.10% | 2.17% |
| OTPB:HUOtp Bank Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.19% | 0.07% | 2.12% |
| NTPC:MBNtpc Ltd | 2.17% | 0.04% | 2.13% |
| FSR:ZAFirstrand Ltd | 1.86% | 0.07% | 1.79% |
| ICT:PHIntl Container Term Svcs Php1 | 1.84% | 0.04% | 1.80% |
| 2345:TWAccton Technology | 1.68% | 0.09% | 1.59% |
45.6% of PEMX 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PEMX or VXUS?
PEMX has an expense ratio of 0.69% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PEMX or VXUS?
Over the past year PEMX returned +56.85% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so PEMX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PEMX or VXUS?
PEMX has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 12.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PEMX -19.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PEMX and VXUS?
PEMX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 PEMX and VXUS?
At least 45.6% of PEMX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PEMX and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PEMX or VXUS?
PEMX yields 5.41% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so PEMX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PEMX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PEMX led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.