POWA vs VXUS

POWA vs VXUS

Which is better, POWA or VXUS?

Each has led over a different period.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. POWA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: split

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

MetricPOWAVXUS
Expense Ratio0.40%0.05%Best
AUM$175M$158.1B
Dividend Yield0.94%2.51%
Holdings528,747
YTD Return-3.31%+12.82%Best
1Y Return-2.58%+19.86%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+9.84%+19.33%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+6.33%+9.46%Best
Volatility (annualized)12.4%Best15.0%
Max Drawdown-36.5%Best-39.9%
$10,000 over 5 years$13,592$15,714Best
Fund FamilyInvesco (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionDec 15, 2006Jan 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).

POWA 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 15.6 years both funds cover.

POWA vs VXUS Performance

Invesco Bloomberg Pricing Power ETF (POWA) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year POWA returned -2.58% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, POWA is down 3.31% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.

Over three years, POWA compounded at +9.84% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.33% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, POWA has the edge at +10.13% annualized vs +4.72%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 12.4% for POWA. 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 -36.5% for POWA 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

POWA charges 0.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $5 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, POWA currently yields 0.94% against 2.51% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

POWA already in VXUS3.5%

At least 3.5% of POWA'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.

POWA and VXUS share little of their money.

2 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in POWA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 52 and 8,747.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in POWAWeight in VXUSDifference
9987:CNYum China Holdings Inc1.90%0.03%1.87%
KRKroger Co.1.63%0.00%1.63%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of POWA and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

POWAVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, POWA or VXUS?

POWA has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, POWA or VXUS?

Over the past year POWA returned -2.58% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), POWA annualized +10.13% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, POWA or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 12.4% for POWA. Worst drawdown: POWA -36.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.

Should I hold both POWA and VXUS?

POWA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 POWA and VXUS?

At least 3.5% of POWA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in POWA and 8,082 in VXUS.

Which pays a higher dividend, POWA or VXUS?

POWA yields 0.94% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than POWA?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. POWA 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.