PHEQ vs VXUS
Parametric Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PHEQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | PHEQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $144M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.94% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 184 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.60% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.78% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.16% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.8%Best | 11.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.6%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $15,058 | $18,565Best |
| Fund Family | Parametric | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 16, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 19, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (2.9 years).
PHEQ 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
PHEQ vs VXUS Performance
Parametric Hedged Equity ETF (PHEQ) is an ETF from Parametric and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PHEQ returned +12.78% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, PHEQ is up 8.60% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, PHEQ compounded at +15.16% per year against +20.48% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.5% compared with 6.8% for PHEQ. 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 -12.6% for PHEQ and -13.6% 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PHEQ charges 0.29% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $5 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PHEQ currently yields 0.94% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.6% of PHEQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 171 positions we hold weights for in PHEQ and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 184 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PHEQ 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, PHEQ or VXUS?
PHEQ has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PHEQ or VXUS?
Over the past year PHEQ returned +12.78% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PHEQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 6.8% for PHEQ. Worst drawdown: PHEQ -12.6% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PHEQ and VXUS?
PHEQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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, PHEQ or VXUS?
PHEQ yields 0.94% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PHEQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.