PICK vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PICK or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PICK led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | PICK | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.03% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 291 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +26.76%Best | +14.83% |
| 1Y Return | +62.31%Best | +24.27% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.83%Best | +19.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.86%Best | +9.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.2% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,311Best | $15,436 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2012 to Sep 9, 2026 (14.6 years).
PICK 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
PICK vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PICK returned +62.31% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, PICK is up 26.76% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, PICK compounded at +21.83% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.86% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.90% annualized vs +5.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PICK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.2% compared with 14.4% 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 -80.4% for PICK 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PICK 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, PICK currently yields 2.03% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 64.2% of PICK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
138 positions in common, counted across the 256 positions we hold weights for in PICK and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 291 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PICK | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd Sedol 6144690 | 13.38% | 0.30% | 13.08% |
| RIO:LNRio Tinto Ltd | 6.44% | 0.22% | 6.22% |
| AAL:LNAnglo American Plc | 3.43% | 0.12% | 3.31% |
| VALE3:BVVale Sa | 3.17% | 0.12% | 3.05% |
| RIO:AURio Tinto Finance Plc | 2.76% | 0.10% | 2.66% |
| GMEXICOB:MXGrupo Mexico Sab De Cv | 2.25% | 0.07% | 2.18% |
| MT:LUArcelormittal | 1.90% | 0.06% | 1.84% |
| TECK:CATeck Resources Ltd | 1.80% | 0.06% | 1.74% |
| FM:CAFirst Quantum Minerals Ltd | 1.25% | 0.04% | 1.21% |
| FMG:AUFortescue Metals Group Ltd. Ordinary Fully Paid | 1.24% | 0.05% | 1.19% |
64.2% of PICK is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PICK or VXUS?
PICK 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, PICK or VXUS?
Over the past year PICK returned +62.31% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so PICK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), PICK annualized +5.78% vs +5.90% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PICK or VXUS?
PICK has been the more volatile fund at 27.2% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PICK -80.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PICK and VXUS?
PICK and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PICK and VXUS?
At least 64.2% of PICK's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 138 positions in common, counted across the 256 positions we hold weights for in PICK and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PICK or VXUS?
PICK yields 2.03% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PICK?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PICK led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.