PRFD vs VXUS
PIMCO Preferred and Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PRFD or VXUS?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led 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 | PRFD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.73% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $236M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.84% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 242 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.83% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.23% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.49% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.8%Best | 12.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.9%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $12,285 | $17,451Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 18, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 19, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (3.7 years).
PRFD 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 3.7 years both funds cover.
PRFD vs VXUS Performance
PIMCO Preferred and Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PRFD) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PRFD returned +2.23% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, PRFD is up 0.83% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, PRFD compounded at +8.49% per year against +19.58% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +16.24% annualized vs +5.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 6.8% for PRFD. 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 -11.9% for PRFD 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PRFD charges 0.73% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $73 vs $5 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PRFD currently yields 5.84% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 133 holdings in PRFD and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 61.3% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 133 positions we hold weights for in PRFD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 242 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PRFD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.60% | 0.82% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PRFD 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, PRFD or VXUS?
PRFD has an expense ratio of 0.73% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PRFD or VXUS?
Over the past year PRFD returned +2.23% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), PRFD annualized +5.72% vs +16.24% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PRFD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 6.8% for PRFD. Worst drawdown: PRFD -11.9% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both PRFD and VXUS?
PRFD 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, PRFD or VXUS?
PRFD yields 5.84% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PRFD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PRFD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led 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.