PFFD vs VXUS
Global X US Preferred ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PFFD 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 | PFFD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.23% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.48% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 228 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.45% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.50% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.99% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.98% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.6%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,520 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 11, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9 years).
PFFD 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 9 years both funds cover.
PFFD vs VXUS Performance
Global X US Preferred ETF (PFFD) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFFD returned +0.50% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, PFFD is down 0.45% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, PFFD compounded at +4.99% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -0.98% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.47% annualized vs +0.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 10.6% for PFFD. 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 -31.3% for PFFD 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFFD charges 0.23% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $23 vs $5 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFFD currently yields 6.48% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 52 holdings in PFFD and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 22.8% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 5 positions appear in both.
5 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PFFD and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 228 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PFFD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAC:ARAnhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd. | 1.42% | 0.01% | 1.41% |
| DTE:FFDeutsche Telekom AG Deutsche Telekom Agnamens Aktien O N | 0.44% | 0.21% | 0.23% |
| TPG:AUVodafone Hutchison Finance Pty Ltd | 0.30% | 0.00% | 0.30% |
| CG:CACenterra Gold Inc Common Stock | 0.26% | 0.01% | 0.25% |
| BHF:THBumrungrad Hospital-Foreign | 0.21% | 0.01% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFFD 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, PFFD or VXUS?
PFFD has an expense ratio of 0.23% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFFD or VXUS?
Over the past year PFFD returned +0.50% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), PFFD annualized +0.15% vs +7.47% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFFD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 10.6% for PFFD. Worst drawdown: PFFD -31.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PFFD and VXUS?
PFFD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, PFFD or VXUS?
PFFD yields 6.48% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so PFFD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PFFD?
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.