PWS vs VXUS
Pacer WealthShield ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PWS or VXUS?
Tactical Allocation against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | PWS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $25M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 359 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.10% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.07% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.17% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.46% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,752 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Tactical Allocation | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2017 to Sep 17, 2026 (8.8 years).
PWS 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 8.8 years both funds cover.
PWS vs VXUS Performance
Pacer WealthShield ETF (PWS) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PWS returned +3.07% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, PWS is up 0.10% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, PWS compounded at +7.17% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.46% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.09% annualized vs +4.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 12.5% for PWS. 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 -24.9% for PWS 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PWS charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PWS currently yields 1.27% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of PWS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 352 positions we hold weights for in PWS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 359 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PWS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PWS 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, PWS or VXUS?
PWS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PWS or VXUS?
Over the past year PWS returned +3.07% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), PWS annualized +4.28% vs +7.09% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PWS or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 12.5% for PWS. Worst drawdown: PWS -24.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PWS and VXUS?
PWS and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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, PWS or VXUS?
PWS yields 1.27% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PWS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.