PHYL vs VXUS
PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PHYL or VXUS?
High Yield 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 | PHYL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.26% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 804 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.99% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.29% | +19.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.07% | +19.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.42% | +8.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.6%Best | 16.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.5%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,831 | $15,127Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 27, 2018 to Sep 16, 2026 (8 years).
PHYL 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 8 years both funds cover.
PHYL vs VXUS Performance
PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PHYL returned +2.29% while VXUS returned +19.22%. Year to date, PHYL is up 0.99% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXUS.
Over three years, PHYL compounded at +8.07% per year against +19.10% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +3.42% and +8.63% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +8.07% annualized vs +2.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 8.6% for PHYL. 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 -23.5% for PHYL and -35.1% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PHYL charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PHYL currently yields 8.26% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 616 holdings in PHYL and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 88.4% 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 245 days apart, PHYL as of Nov 28, 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 616 positions we hold weights for in PHYL and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 804 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PHYL | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIN:AUMineral Resources Ltd 9.25% 01Oct2028 | 0.23% | 0.02% | 0.21% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PHYL 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, PHYL or VXUS?
PHYL has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PHYL or VXUS?
Over the past year PHYL returned +2.29% vs +19.22% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PHYL annualized +2.88% vs +8.07% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PHYL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 8.6% for PHYL. Worst drawdown: PHYL -23.5% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both PHYL and VXUS?
PHYL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, PHYL or VXUS?
PHYL yields 8.26% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PHYL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PHYL?
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.