PPEM vs VXUS
Putnam PanAgora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PPEM or VXUS?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PPEM 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 | PPEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 49.41% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 116 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $19,275Best | $16,607 |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2023 | 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 101 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PPEM has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 20, 2023 to Jun 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PPEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 12.7% 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 -18.4% for PPEM and -13.6% 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PPEM charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PPEM currently yields 49.41% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 109 holdings in PPEM and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 108.0% 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, 68 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 154 days apart, PPEM 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.
68 positions in common, counted across the 109 positions we hold weights for in PPEM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 116 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PPEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 6.59% | 1.41% | 5.18% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 3.59% | 0.21% | 3.38% |
| 086790:KRHana Financial Group Inc | 2.40% | 0.05% | 2.35% |
| 532898:MBPower Grid Corp Of India Ltd | 2.18% | 0.03% | 2.15% |
| GFI:ZAGold Fields Limited Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 2.15% | 0.06% | 2.09% |
| B3SA3:BVMini Bovespa | 1.69% | 0.04% | 1.65% |
| GFNORTEO:MXGpo Fin Banorte | 1.61% | 0.08% | 1.53% |
| 2882:TWCathay Financial Holding Co Ltd | 1.51% | 0.07% | 1.44% |
| FAB:AEFirst Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC | 1.38% | 0.05% | 1.33% |
| 2884:TWE.sun Financial Holding Co Ltd | 1.37% | 0.04% | 1.33% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PPEM 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, PPEM or VXUS?
PPEM has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PPEM or VXUS?
PPEM has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 12.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PPEM -18.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PPEM and VXUS?
PPEM and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, PPEM or VXUS?
PPEM yields 49.41% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PPEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PPEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PPEM 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.