PTA vs VOO

PTA vs VOO
See what your portfolio actually owns
Your funds unpacked, overlap, fees and score, free on screen. The full report is $25, once. Download sample.
X-ray my portfolio free

Quick Verdict

VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO delivered stronger 1-year returns. VOO offers more diversification with 509 holdings.

Lower Fees: VOOHigher Returns: VOOMore Diversified: VOO

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPTAVOOWinner
Expense Ratio2.01%0.03%
AUM-$997.4B
Dividend Yield7.91%1.08%
Holdings283509
YTD Return+1.84%+12.95%
1Y Return+1.22%+20.69%
3Y Return (annualized)+10.51%+22.09%
5Y Return (annualized)+2.14%+13.40%
Volatility (annualized)13.6%14.1%
Max Drawdown-28.7%-34.3%
Fund FamilyCohen & Steers FundsVanguard (US)
CategoryAllocation/BalancedEquity
InceptionOct 28, 2020Sep 7, 2010

PTA vs VOO Performance

Cohen & Steers Tax-Advantaged Preferred Securities & Income Fund (PTA) is a ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PTA returned +1.22% while VOO returned +20.69%. Year to date, PTA is up 1.84% versus a gain of 12.95% for VOO.

Over three years, PTA compounded at +10.51% per year against +22.09% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +2.14% and +13.40% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.50% annualized vs +2.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 13.6% for PTA. 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 -28.7% for PTA and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

PTA charges 2.01% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $201 vs $3 annually, a gap of $198 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PTA currently yields 7.91% against 1.08% for VOO.

Holdings Overlap

0.5%overlap

PTA and VOO share 3 holdings out of 669 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.5% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in PTAWeight in VOODifference
MTB0.87%0.05%0.82%
C0.40%0.36%0.04%
ACGL0.64%0.05%0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, PTA or VOO?

PTA has an expense ratio of 2.01% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $198 per year of difference.

Which performed better, PTA or VOO?

Over the past year PTA returned +1.22% vs +20.69% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), PTA annualized +2.84% vs +13.50% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, PTA or VOO?

VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.6% for PTA. Worst drawdown: PTA -28.7% vs VOO -34.3%.

Should I hold both PTA and VOO?

PTA and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between PTA and VOO?

PTA and VOO share 3 common holdings with a 0.5% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 669 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, PTA or VOO?

PTA yields 7.91% while VOO yields 1.08%, so PTA currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.

See what your portfolio actually owns
Your funds unpacked, overlap, fees and score, free on screen. The full report is $25, once. Download sample.
X-ray my portfolio free