PBPH vs VXUS
Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PBPH or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y.
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 | PBPH | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.13% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.08% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 55 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +13.31%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +14.49% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Fund Family | Portfolio Building Block ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 24, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
PBPH 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
PBPH vs VXUS Performance
Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH) is an ETF from Portfolio Building Block ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PBPH returned +14.49% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, PBPH is up 13.31% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBPH charges 0.13% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $13 vs $5 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PBPH currently yields 0.08% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 25.0% of PBPH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
PBPH and VXUS share little of their money.
18 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PBPH and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 55 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PBPH | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 4.74% | 0.67% | 4.07% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 4.54% | 0.53% | 4.01% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 4.09% | 0.62% | 3.47% |
| GSK:LNGSK plc | 1.92% | 0.22% | 1.70% |
| CSL:AUCsl Ltd | 1.28% | 0.13% | 1.15% |
| ARGX:ASArgenx Se Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 1.26% | 0.14% | 1.12% |
| 4502:JPTakeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 1.22% | 0.12% | 1.10% |
| TEVA:ILTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Adr) | 1.01% | 0.09% | 0.92% |
| SDZ:SMSandoz Group Ag | 0.74% | 0.08% | 0.66% |
| 4578:JPOtsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. Com Stk | 0.65% | 0.07% | 0.58% |
25.0% of PBPH is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PBPH or VXUS?
PBPH has an expense ratio of 0.13% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PBPH or VXUS?
Over the past year PBPH returned +14.49% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PBPH and VXUS?
At least 25.0% of PBPH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PBPH and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, PBPH or VXUS?
PBPH yields 0.08% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PBPH?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.