PSFO vs VXUS
Pacer Swan SOS Flex October ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PSFO or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSFO led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | PSFO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 13 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +11.71%Best | +10.69% |
| 1Y Return | +13.69% | +15.76%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.37% | +20.11%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.79%Best | +9.04% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.4%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.1%Best | -28.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,459Best | $15,414 |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | 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 Oct 8, 2026 (5 years).
PSFO 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.
PSFO vs VXUS Performance
Pacer Swan SOS Flex October ETF (PSFO) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PSFO returned +13.69% while VXUS returned +15.76%. Year to date, PSFO is up 11.71% versus a gain of 10.69% for VXUS.
Over three years, PSFO compounded at +14.37% per year against +20.11% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.79% and +9.04% 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 8.4% for PSFO. 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 -12.1% for PSFO 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSFO 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, PSFO currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in PSFO and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 0.4% and 89.3% 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 46 days apart, PSFO as of Sep 15, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in PSFO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 13 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSFO 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, PSFO or VXUS?
PSFO 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, PSFO or VXUS?
Over the past year PSFO returned +13.69% vs +15.76% 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, PSFO or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 8.4% for PSFO. Worst drawdown: PSFO -12.1% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both PSFO and VXUS?
PSFO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, PSFO or VXUS?
PSFO yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PSFO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PSFO led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.