PFUT vs VXUS
Putnam Sustainable Future ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PFUT or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | PFUT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.64% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 72 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.9% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,309 | $14,830Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | 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 94 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PFUT has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFUT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 15.1% 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 -44.9% for PFUT and -29.4% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFUT charges 0.64% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $64 vs $5 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFUT currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.6% of PFUT'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.
PFUT and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 123 days apart, PFUT as of Feb 27, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in PFUT and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 72 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFUT 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, PFUT or VXUS?
PFUT has an expense ratio of 0.64% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PFUT or VXUS?
PFUT has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: PFUT -44.9% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both PFUT and VXUS?
PFUT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 PFUT and VXUS?
At least 3.6% of PFUT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in PFUT and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFUT or VXUS?
PFUT yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PFUT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.