PGP vs VXUS
PIMCO Global StockPlus & Income Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PGP or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
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 | PGP | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.64% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $105M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.01% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 417 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.78% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.83% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.27% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.25% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.2% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,313 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 31, 2005 | 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).
PGP 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.
PGP vs VXUS Performance
PIMCO Global StockPlus & Income Fund (PGP) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PGP returned +7.83% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, PGP is down 1.78% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, PGP compounded at +18.27% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +4.25% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs -2.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.8% compared with 15.0% 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 -80.2% for PGP 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGP charges 2.64% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $264 vs $5 annually, a gap of $259 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGP currently yields 9.01% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in PGP and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 9.8% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, PGP as of Dec 31, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in PGP and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 417 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PGP | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMPS:MIBanca Monte Dei Paschi Siena | 1.27% | 0.06% | 1.21% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PGP 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, PGP or VXUS?
PGP has an expense ratio of 2.64% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $259 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PGP or VXUS?
Over the past year PGP returned +7.83% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PGP annualized -2.65% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PGP or VXUS?
PGP has been the more volatile fund at 24.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PGP -80.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PGP and VXUS?
PGP and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, PGP or VXUS?
PGP yields 9.01% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PGP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PGP?
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.