PTNQ vs VXUS
Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PTNQ or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PTNQ 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 | PTNQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.80% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 103 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.76% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.24% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.77% | +20.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.59%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,807Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 11, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 12, 2015 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.2 years).
PTNQ 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 11.2 years both funds cover.
PTNQ vs VXUS Performance
Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PTNQ returned +15.24% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, PTNQ is up 9.76% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, PTNQ compounded at +12.77% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.59% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, PTNQ has the edge at +12.38% annualized vs +6.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.3% for PTNQ. 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 -28.1% for PTNQ 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PTNQ charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PTNQ currently yields 0.80% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.2% of PTNQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
PTNQ and VXUS share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in PTNQ and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 103 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PTNQ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Adr Representing Nv | 0.68% | 1.70% | 1.02% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc. | 0.65% | 0.31% | 0.34% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| FER:ASFerrovial N.V. Ordinary Shares | 0.21% | 0.07% | 0.14% |
| CCEP:LNCoca-Cola European Partners PLC Shs Euro | 0.21% | 0.04% | 0.17% |
| TRI:CAThomson Reuters Corp | 0.18% | 0.02% | 0.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PTNQ 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, PTNQ or VXUS?
PTNQ has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PTNQ or VXUS?
Over the past year PTNQ returned +15.24% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), PTNQ annualized +12.38% vs +6.29% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PTNQ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.3% for PTNQ. Worst drawdown: PTNQ -28.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PTNQ and VXUS?
PTNQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 PTNQ and VXUS?
At least 2.2% of PTNQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in PTNQ and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PTNQ or VXUS?
PTNQ yields 0.80% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PTNQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PTNQ 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.