PQDI vs VXUS
Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PQDI or VXUS?
Preferred Stock against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | PQDI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $111M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.69% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 105 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.69% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.98% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.05% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.72% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.3%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.4%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,436 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 17, 2020 to Sep 10, 2026 (6.2 years).
PQDI 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 6.2 years both funds cover.
PQDI vs VXUS Performance
Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PQDI returned +2.98% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, PQDI is up 0.69% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, PQDI compounded at +8.05% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +2.72% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +12.21% annualized vs +3.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 6.3% for PQDI. 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 -17.4% for PQDI 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PQDI 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, PQDI currently yields 5.69% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 72 holdings in PQDI and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 60.5% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, PQDI as of Aug 18, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 72 positions we hold weights for in PQDI and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 105 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PQDI 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, PQDI or VXUS?
PQDI 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 performed better, PQDI or VXUS?
Over the past year PQDI returned +2.98% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), PQDI annualized +3.83% vs +12.21% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PQDI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 6.3% for PQDI. Worst drawdown: PQDI -17.4% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both PQDI and VXUS?
PQDI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, PQDI or VXUS?
PQDI yields 5.69% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PQDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PQDI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.