PFL vs VXUS
PIMCO Income Strategy Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PFL or VXUS?
Diversified Sectoral Bond 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 | PFL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.37% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $381M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.06% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 401 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -6.30% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.90% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.46% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.73% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,895 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 26, 2003 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
PFL 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
PFL vs VXUS Performance
PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFL returned -3.90% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, PFL is down 6.30% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, PFL compounded at +9.46% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.73% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs +0.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 13.8% for PFL. 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 -53.9% for PFL 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFL charges 1.37% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $137 vs $5 annually, a gap of $132 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFL currently yields 13.06% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 21 holdings in PFL and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 7.1% and 88.8% 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, 2 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 304 days apart, PFL as of Sep 30, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 21 positions we hold weights for in PFL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 401 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFL 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, PFL or VXUS?
PFL has an expense ratio of 1.37% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $132 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFL or VXUS?
Over the past year PFL returned -3.90% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PFL annualized +0.65% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.8% for PFL. Worst drawdown: PFL -53.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PFL and VXUS?
PFL 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, PFL or VXUS?
PFL yields 13.06% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PFL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PFL?
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.