PFFA vs VXUS
Virtus InfraCap US Preferred Stock ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PFFA or VXUS?
Preferred Stock 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 | PFFA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.11% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.82% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 197 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.67% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.58% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.40% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.72% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.9% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.7% | -36.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,206 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 16, 2018 to Sep 18, 2026 (8.3 years).
PFFA 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 8.3 years both funds cover.
PFFA vs VXUS Performance
Virtus InfraCap US Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFFA returned +1.58% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, PFFA is up 1.67% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, PFFA compounded at +11.40% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.72% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.07% annualized vs +4.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFFA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.9% compared with 16.0% 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 -70.7% for PFFA and -36.0% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFFA charges 2.11% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $211 vs $5 annually, a gap of $206 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFFA currently yields 9.82% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 158 holdings in PFFA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.6% and 88.8% of the two funds. That is not enough of VXUS to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 158 positions we hold weights for in PFFA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 197 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PFFA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQN:CAAlgonquin Power & Utilities Corp - Common | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFFA 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, PFFA or VXUS?
PFFA has an expense ratio of 2.11% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $206 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFFA or VXUS?
Over the past year PFFA returned +1.58% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PFFA annualized +4.04% vs +7.07% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFFA or VXUS?
PFFA has been the more volatile fund at 24.9% annualized versus 16.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PFFA -70.7% vs VXUS -36.0%.
Should I hold both PFFA and VXUS?
PFFA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, PFFA or VXUS?
PFFA yields 9.82% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PFFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PFFA?
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.