PSET vs VXUS
Principal Quality ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PSET or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSET led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | PSET | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 150 | 9,293 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 10.6 years | $33,783Best | $21,996 |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2016 | 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 18 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PSET has data through Oct 19, 2026 and VXUS through Nov 6, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2016 to Oct 19, 2026 (10.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSET has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.7% 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 -34.8% for PSET 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSET charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSET currently yields 0.69% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of PSET's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
PSET and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 150 and 9,293.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PSET | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 1.01% | 0.04% | 0.97% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSET 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, PSET or VXUS?
PSET has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PSET or VXUS?
PSET has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PSET -34.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PSET and VXUS?
PSET and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PSET and VXUS?
At least 1.0% of PSET's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 8,463 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSET or VXUS?
PSET yields 0.69% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PSET?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSET led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.