GQGU vs PCLG
GQG US Equity ETF vs Polen Focus Growth ETF
Which is better, GQGU or PCLG?
GQGU has been ahead.
GQGU led over 1Y and the full window. GQGU is less concentrated, with 57.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.6%.
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 | GQGU | PCLG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49%Tie | 0.49%Tie |
| AUM | $584M | $92M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.95% | 0.04% |
| Holdings | 77 | 27 |
| YTD Return | +4.89%Best | -4.21% |
| 1Y Return | +3.43%Best | -6.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8%Best | 17.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.4%Best | -23.8% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $10,282Best | $9,382 |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.2%Best | 62.6% |
| Fund Family | GQG Partners LLC | Polen Capital |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 31, 2019 | Sep 30, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026 (1 years).
GQGU vs PCLG 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 1 years both funds cover.
GQGU vs PCLG Performance
GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) is an ETF from GQG Partners LLC and Polen Focus Growth ETF (PCLG) is an ETF from Polen Capital. Over the past year GQGU returned +3.43% while PCLG returned -6.81%. Year to date, GQGU is up 4.89% versus a loss of 4.21% for PCLG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 12.8% for GQGU. 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 -8.4% for GQGU and -23.8% for PCLG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GQGU charges 0.49% per year while PCLG charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $49 annually. On income, GQGU currently yields 0.95% against 0.04% for PCLG.
Holdings Overlap
46.5% of GQGU's money is in holdings PCLG also owns. 55.5% of PCLG's money is in holdings GQGU also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
12 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in GQGU and 29 in PCLG, against full books of 77 and 27.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 13 positions for PCLG that do not appear in our book for GQGU (36.6% of the fund), and 25 for GQGU that do not appear in PCLG (51.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GQGU | Weight in PCLG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 8.16% | 9.35% | 1.19% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 9.37% | 7.82% | 1.55% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 7.25% | 6.16% | 1.09% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 6.76% | 5.98% | 0.78% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.56% | 6.13% | 3.57% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.93% | 4.80% | 2.87% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.68% | 4.38% | 2.70% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 1.51% | 4.43% | 2.92% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 3.12% | 2.56% | 0.56% |
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 1.96% | 1.79% | 0.17% |
55.5% of PCLG is already inside GQGU.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GQGU or PCLG?
GQGU has an expense ratio of 0.49% while PCLG charges 0.49%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, GQGU or PCLG?
Over the past year GQGU returned +3.43% vs -6.81% for PCLG, so GQGU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), GQGU annualized +2.82% vs -6.18% for PCLG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GQGU or PCLG?
PCLG has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 12.8% for GQGU. Worst drawdown: GQGU -8.4% vs PCLG -23.8%.
Should I hold both GQGU and PCLG?
GQGU and PCLG have a monthly-return correlation of -0.37, 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 GQGU and PCLG?
55.5% of PCLG's money is in holdings GQGU also owns. 55.5% of PCLG's is in holdings GQGU also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in GQGU and 29 in PCLG.
Which pays a higher dividend, GQGU or PCLG?
GQGU yields 0.95% while PCLG yields 0.04%, so GQGU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PCLG better than GQGU?
GQGU led over 1Y and the full window. GQGU is less concentrated, with 57.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.