PEXL vs VXUS
Pacer US Export Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PEXL or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PEXL led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.31% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 102 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.65%Best | +13.64% |
| 1Y Return | +26.94%Best | +20.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.36% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.10%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,927Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 23, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 17, 2026 (8.2 years).
PEXL 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 8.2 years both funds cover.
PEXL vs VXUS Performance
Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PEXL returned +26.94% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, PEXL is up 16.65% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, PEXL compounded at +19.36% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.10% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, PEXL has the edge at +13.98% annualized vs +7.89%.
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 16.1% 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 -36.9% for PEXL and -35.1% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PEXL charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PEXL currently yields 0.31% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 101 holdings in PEXL and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in PEXL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 102 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 101 and 8,082 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions PEXL does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PEXL 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, PEXL or VXUS?
PEXL has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PEXL or VXUS?
Over the past year PEXL returned +26.94% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so PEXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PEXL annualized +13.98% vs +7.89% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PEXL or VXUS?
PEXL has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 16.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PEXL -36.9% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both PEXL and VXUS?
PEXL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PEXL or VXUS?
PEXL yields 0.31% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PEXL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PEXL led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.