PIEQ vs VXUS
Principal International Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PIEQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | PIEQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.48% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 48 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.45% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.70% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 11.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.2% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $14,696 | $14,746Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.9 years).
PIEQ 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
PIEQ vs VXUS Performance
Principal International Equity ETF (PIEQ) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PIEQ returned +15.70% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, PIEQ is up 8.45% versus a gain of 12.82% 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 11.8% compared with 10.0% for PIEQ. 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 -15.2% for PIEQ 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PIEQ charges 0.48% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $48 vs $5 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PIEQ currently yields 1.14% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 49.7% of PIEQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.
20 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in PIEQ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 48 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PIEQ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECK.B:CATeck Resources Ltd. Class B | 4.59% | 0.06% | 4.53% |
| SU:CASuncor Energy Inc | 3.87% | 0.18% | 3.69% |
| HLN:LNHaleon Plc - Common | 3.84% | 0.10% | 3.74% |
| EBS:ATErste Bank Der Oesterreichischen Sparkassen Ag | 3.51% | 0.08% | 3.43% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 2.64% | 0.57% | 2.07% |
| BAES:LNB A E Systems P L C | 2.88% | 0.19% | 2.69% |
| RXL:PARexel Sa | 2.99% | 0.02% | 2.97% |
| NBG.R:GRNational Bank of Greece Sa | 2.80% | 0.03% | 2.77% |
| 1299:HKAia Group Ltd | 2.58% | 0.24% | 2.34% |
| 0027:HKGalaxy Entertainment Group Ltd | 2.67% | 0.00% | 2.67% |
49.7% of PIEQ 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PIEQ or VXUS?
PIEQ has an expense ratio of 0.48% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PIEQ or VXUS?
Over the past year PIEQ returned +15.70% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PIEQ annualized +22.46% vs +22.68% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PIEQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 10.0% for PIEQ. Worst drawdown: PIEQ -15.2% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PIEQ and VXUS?
PIEQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 PIEQ and VXUS?
At least 49.7% of PIEQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in PIEQ and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PIEQ or VXUS?
PIEQ yields 1.14% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PIEQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.