PFXF vs VXUS
VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PFXF 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 | PFXF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.52% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 122 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.40% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.22% | +20.21%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.01% | +19.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.03% | +8.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.1%Best | 14.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,610 | $15,379Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 16, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 17, 2012 to Sep 24, 2026 (14.2 years).
PFXF 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 14.2 years both funds cover.
PFXF vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFXF returned +5.22% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, PFXF is up 2.40% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, PFXF compounded at +9.01% per year against +19.97% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.03% and +8.99% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.40% annualized vs +1.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 10.1% for PFXF. 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 -37.3% for PFXF 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
PFXF charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFXF currently yields 6.52% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 113 holdings in PFXF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 87.6% 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 113 positions we hold weights for in PFXF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 122 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFXF 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, PFXF or VXUS?
PFXF has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFXF or VXUS?
Over the past year PFXF returned +5.22% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), PFXF annualized +1.69% vs +6.40% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFXF or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 10.1% for PFXF. Worst drawdown: PFXF -37.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PFXF and VXUS?
PFXF 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, PFXF or VXUS?
PFXF yields 6.52% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PFXF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PFXF?
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.