POWR vs VXUS
iShares US Power Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, POWR or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. POWR led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y 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 | POWR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $446M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.98% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 81 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.61% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.12% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.46% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.78%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.7% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,922Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.6 years).
POWR 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
POWR vs VXUS Performance
iShares US Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year POWR returned +9.12% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, POWR is up 7.61% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, POWR compounded at +4.46% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +14.78% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.88% annualized vs +1.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
POWR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.7% compared with 14.4% 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 -72.1% for POWR 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
POWR charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, POWR currently yields 5.98% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 68 holdings in POWR and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in POWR and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 81 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of POWR 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, POWR or VXUS?
POWR has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, POWR or VXUS?
Over the past year POWR returned +9.12% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), POWR annualized +1.82% vs +5.88% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, POWR or VXUS?
POWR has been the more volatile fund at 22.7% annualized versus 14.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: POWR -72.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both POWR and VXUS?
POWR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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, POWR or VXUS?
POWR yields 5.98% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so POWR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than POWR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. POWR led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.