PIO vs VXUS
Invesco Global Water ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PIO or VXUS?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PIO led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | PIO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $268M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 53 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.47% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.09% | +20.21%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.24% | +19.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.57% | +8.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,810 | $15,379Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 13, 2007 | 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 24, 2026 (15.7 years).
PIO 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
PIO vs VXUS Performance
Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PIO returned -2.09% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, PIO is down 2.47% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, PIO compounded at +9.24% per year against +19.97% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.57% and +8.99% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, PIO has the edge at +5.52% annualized vs +4.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PIO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% 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 -35.8% for PIO 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PIO charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PIO currently yields 0.90% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 39.5% of PIO'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.
19 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in PIO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 53 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PIO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBSP3:BVCia De Saneamento Basico Do Estado | 5.87% | 0.00% | 5.87% |
| 6361:TKEbara Corp | 5.59% | 0.03% | 5.56% |
| GEBN:SMGeberit Ag Registered | 4.20% | 0.05% | 4.15% |
| VIE:PAVie Fp Veolia Environnement Sa | 3.66% | 0.06% | 3.60% |
| STN:CAStantec Inc | 2.45% | 0.02% | 2.43% |
| HLMA:LNHalma Plc | 2.35% | 0.04% | 2.31% |
| G1A:FFGea Group Ag | 2.23% | 0.02% | 2.21% |
| BEAN:SMBelimo Holding Ag | 2.02% | 0.02% | 2.00% |
| SVT:LNSevern Trent Plc | 1.99% | 0.02% | 1.97% |
| 021240:KRCoway Co Ltd | 1.96% | 0.01% | 1.95% |
39.5% of PIO 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, PIO or VXUS?
PIO has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PIO or VXUS?
Over the past year PIO returned -2.09% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PIO annualized +5.52% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PIO or VXUS?
PIO has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PIO -35.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PIO and VXUS?
PIO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 PIO and VXUS?
At least 39.5% of PIO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in PIO and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PIO or VXUS?
PIO yields 0.90% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PIO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PIO led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.