PMJL vs VXUS
PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - July vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PMJL or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
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 | PMJL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 7 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.34% | +13.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.89% | +21.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.9%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.5%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $10,767 | $12,766Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 30, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2025 to Sep 25, 2026 (1.2 years).
PMJL 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
PMJL vs VXUS Performance
PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - July (PMJL) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PMJL returned +5.89% while VXUS returned +21.98%. Year to date, PMJL is up 4.34% versus a gain of 13.44% 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 13.3% compared with 1.9% for PMJL. 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 -1.5% for PMJL and -11.3% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PMJL charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PMJL currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PMJL 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, PMJL or VXUS?
PMJL has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PMJL or VXUS?
Over the past year PMJL returned +5.89% vs +21.98% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), PMJL annualized +6.35% vs +22.57% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PMJL or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 1.9% for PMJL. Worst drawdown: PMJL -1.5% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both PMJL and VXUS?
PMJL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, PMJL or VXUS?
PMJL yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PMJL?
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.