PEPS vs VXUS
Parametric Equity Plus ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PEPS or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | PEPS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $30M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.93% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 193 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.76% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.06% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.0% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $13,393 | $14,995Best |
| Fund Family | Parametric | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 7, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 8, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.8 years).
PEPS 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
PEPS vs VXUS Performance
Parametric Equity Plus ETF (PEPS) is an ETF from Parametric and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PEPS returned +21.06% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, PEPS is up 12.76% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PEPS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 11.5% 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 -21.0% for PEPS 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PEPS charges 0.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $5 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PEPS currently yields 0.93% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.8% of PEPS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
PEPS and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, PEPS as of Aug 18, 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 194 positions we hold weights for in PEPS and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 193 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PEPS 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, PEPS or VXUS?
PEPS has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PEPS or VXUS?
Over the past year PEPS returned +21.06% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PEPS annualized +17.62% vs +25.24% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PEPS or VXUS?
PEPS has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 11.5% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PEPS -21.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PEPS and VXUS?
PEPS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 PEPS and VXUS?
At least 1.8% of PEPS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 194 positions we hold weights for in PEPS and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PEPS or VXUS?
PEPS yields 0.93% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PEPS?
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.