PLDR vs VXUS
Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PLDR or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | PLDR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 56 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.6% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450Best | $14,830 |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 100 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PLDR has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PLDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 15.1% 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 -29.6% for PLDR and -29.4% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PLDR charges 0.59% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $5 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PLDR currently yields 0.35% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 52 holdings in PLDR and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 92.9% 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, 3 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 154 days apart, PLDR as of Feb 27, 2026 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.
3 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 56 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PLDR 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, PLDR or VXUS?
PLDR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PLDR or VXUS?
PLDR has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PLDR -29.6% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both PLDR and VXUS?
PLDR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, PLDR or VXUS?
PLDR yields 0.35% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PLDR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.