PEXL vs VTI
Pacer US Export Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PEXL or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PEXL led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | PEXL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.31% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +17.05%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +26.95%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.42% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.06% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,896 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 23, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 24, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (8.1 years).
PEXL vs VTI 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 8.1 years both funds cover.
PEXL vs VTI Performance
Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PEXL returned +26.95% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, PEXL is up 17.05% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, PEXL compounded at +19.42% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.06% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, PEXL has the edge at +14.06% annualized vs +13.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PEXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 17.2% for VTI. 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 -36.9% for PEXL and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PEXL charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PEXL currently yields 0.31% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 98.0% of PEXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% 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 PEXL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, PEXL as of Sep 1, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
87 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in PEXL and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PEXL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.58% | 5.84% | 0.26% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 6.66% | 3.81% | 2.85% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 4.84% | 2.88% | 1.96% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.97% | 2.46% | 2.51% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 4.72% | 1.30% | 3.42% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 5.18% | 0.00% | 5.18% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 3.06% | 0.74% | 2.32% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 2.95% | 0.79% | 2.16% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 3.09% | 0.38% | 2.71% |
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 2.84% | 0.54% | 2.30% |
98.0% of PEXL is already inside VTI.
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, PEXL or VTI?
PEXL has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PEXL or VTI?
Over the past year PEXL returned +26.95% vs +17.22% for VTI, so PEXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PEXL annualized +14.06% vs +13.46% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PEXL or VTI?
PEXL has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 17.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PEXL -36.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both PEXL and VTI?
PEXL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 PEXL and VTI?
At least 98.0% of PEXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 87 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in PEXL and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PEXL or VTI?
PEXL yields 0.31% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PEXL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PEXL led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.