PSCQ vs VXUS
Pacer Swan SOS Conservative October ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PSCQ or VXUS?
Debt-oriented balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSCQ 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 | PSCQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $47M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 6 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.69% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.04% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.45% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.36%Best | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.9%Best | -28.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,642Best | $15,485 |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Debt-oriented balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2021 to Sep 17, 2026 (5 years).
PSCQ 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 5 years both funds cover.
PSCQ vs VXUS Performance
Pacer Swan SOS Conservative October ETF (PSCQ) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PSCQ returned +11.04% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, PSCQ is up 8.69% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, PSCQ compounded at +12.45% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.36% and +9.14% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 6.7% for PSCQ. 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 -9.9% for PSCQ and -28.9% 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
PSCQ charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSCQ currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in PSCQ and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 0.3% and 88.8% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in PSCQ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 6 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSCQ 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, PSCQ or VXUS?
PSCQ has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSCQ or VXUS?
Over the past year PSCQ returned +11.04% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSCQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 6.7% for PSCQ. Worst drawdown: PSCQ -9.9% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both PSCQ and VXUS?
PSCQ 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSCQ or VXUS?
PSCQ yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PSCQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSCQ 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.