PEX vs VXUS
ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PEX or VXUS?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | PEX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.95% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $12M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.54% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 31 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -4.97% | +14.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.17% | +21.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.68% | +20.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.74% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 114.8% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,635 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2013 to Sep 21, 2026 (13.6 years).
PEX 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 13.6 years both funds cover.
PEX vs VXUS Performance
ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PEX returned -11.17% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, PEX is down 4.97% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, PEX compounded at +4.68% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -0.74% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.85% annualized vs +5.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PEX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 114.8% compared with 14.4% 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 -77.9% for PEX 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 0.01. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PEX charges 2.95% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $295 vs $5 annually, a gap of $290 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PEX currently yields 8.54% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 37.4% of PEX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.
8 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in PEX and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 31 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PEX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| III:LN3i Group Plc | 9.97% | 0.09% | 9.88% |
| ONEX:CAOnex Corporation Shs Subord.Voting | 8.09% | 0.01% | 8.08% |
| SOF:BRSofina Sa | 7.54% | 0.01% | 7.53% |
| EURA:PAEurazeo Se | 3.69% | 0.00% | 3.69% |
| GROW:LNDraper Esprit Plc | 2.42% | 0.00% | 2.42% |
| KINV.B:STKinnevik Ab | 2.40% | 0.00% | 2.40% |
| GIMBGimv Nv | 1.93% | 0.00% | 1.93% |
| BBUC:CABrookfield Business Partners Lp Unit Ltd Partnership | 1.35% | 0.00% | 1.35% |
37.4% of PEX 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, PEX or VXUS?
PEX has an expense ratio of 2.95% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $290 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PEX or VXUS?
Over the past year PEX returned -11.17% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), PEX annualized +5.10% vs +5.85% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PEX or VXUS?
PEX has been the more volatile fund at 114.8% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PEX -77.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PEX and VXUS?
PEX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.01, 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 PEX and VXUS?
At least 37.4% of PEX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in PEX and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PEX or VXUS?
PEX yields 8.54% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PEX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PEX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.